The Federal Election Commission announced Tuesday that it had fined Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) $63,000 for using campaign funds for personal reasons, misstating financial activity and receiving contributions in excess of federal contribution limits. According to the FEC, Meeks in the 2004 election cycle used almost $17,000 from his campaign account for a personal trainer, undocumented personal credit card expenses and auto lease payments and repairs. The commission found that the Congressman’s campaign also improperly listed contributions for the primary as earmarked for the general election, when in fact the primary contributions exceeded federal contribution limits. And the FEC found that Meeks accepted $17,000 in improper corporate contributions. In addition to agreeing to pay the $63,000 fine from his campaign committee, the six-term Congressman agreed to reimburse his campaign committee $9,800 from his personal funds to cover the expenses he had previously charged to the campaign. — Josh Kurtz