The North Carolina State Board of Elections wants more details from a longtime state senator about credit card payments made using campaign funds.
Deputy state elections director Kim Strach confirmed Saturday her office is auditing the campaign committee of Republican Sen. Fletcher Hartsell of Concord.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported campaign finance reports show Hartsell's campaign spent nearly $100,000 in 2011 and 2012 paying on at least 10 credit cards. The reports provided few expense details.
Hartsell told the newspaper he believes the credit card spending is associated primarily with expenses related to his public office, which is lawful. But he said he would repay any expenses considered invalid.
Strach said the board will perform an audit as it does with other campaign committees.
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