State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh has been fined $2,500 to settle accusations that he violated Georgia's campaign finance rules.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the settlement comes after commission staffers twice asked Attorney General Thurbert Baker's office to investigate the case. But Baker's office said criminal charges could not be brought.

Commission investigators said campaign disclosure forms from the Sharpsburg Republican seemed to show that he repaid himself $21,000 more than he loaned his campaign. They said it also appeared that the lawmaker was reimbursed from the state for purchases from his campaign account.

Seabaugh said he and his campaign staff made mistakes. The lawmaker's attorney said many of the commission's allegations were unproven.

Tags: Georgia, state senator Mitch Seabaugh, campaign finance rules, ethics investigation