LEWISTON – The Androscoggin County Republican Committee failed to file three campaign finance reports and faces routine fines of up to $500 for each violation, according to the Maine ethics commission.

Reports due in July and October 2008 and in January 2009 were filed by Scott Lansley, the committee chairman, earlier this month, after the committee received several notices regarding the filings. Had the reports not been filed by Thursday, ethics commission staff would have recommended additional fines be levied against the group.

Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, said the committee may petition the commission for a waiver of the late fees, which will be assessed based on a predetermined late-filing formula. If the Androscoggin County Republicans seek a fee waiver, the matter will be taken up at the commission meeting in July.