AUGUSTA — The Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices levied the largest fine in its history against the Republican State Leadership Committee today, due to a late campaign finance report filing.

The panel voted unanimously to fine the group $26,000 for late reporting on about $400,000 in spending it made in five state senate races. The commission staff had revised their initial recommended fine of $41,000 to $26,000 based on information provided by the RSLC prior to today’s meeting.

In a separate matter, the ethics commission voted 4-1 that the Portland Press Herald did not need to register as a ballot question committee for ad space it donated to the Portland Chamber of Commerce that was then used to advocate for an elected mayoral position in Portland.