CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta said Monday he will remain in office despite suggestions from fellow state Republicans that he resign after the Federal Election Commission found he broke the law by accepting campaign donations from his parents.
In 2010, Guinta reported lending himself $355,000 and amended a disclosure form to add a previously unreported bank account, prompting questions from his Republican primary rivals and Democratic incumbent Carol Shea-Porter. She defeated him in 2012, but he reclaimed the seat in November.
Over the years, Guinta flatly denied the money came from his parents or was an illegal campaign donation, but the FEC said the opposite in a recent agreement and ordered Guinta to re-pay the money plus a $15,000 fine.
In a letter posted Sunday on his campaign website, Guinta, 44, insisted the money was his because he contributed to his parents’ account over 40 years. He apologized to constituents but maintained his only error was not properly reporting the money.
The explanation didn’t satisfy the state’s other high-ranking Republicans. U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said Monday if she were in Guinta’s position she would resign.