A federal PAC of trial lawyers has agreed to pay a $27,000 civil penalty for violations of federal campaign finance laws during the past 20 years.

The American Association for Justice PAC is the separate segregated fund of the American Association for Justice, a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt trade association. The trade association was formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. The PAC discovered errors in their financial accounting, hired an outside accountant and brought it to the attention of the Federal Election Commission.

The PAC agreed to pay a civil penalty of $27,000. View the conciliation agreement with the FEC.

In the 2011-2012 cycle, the PAC raised $6.4 million and gave out over $3 million in contributions to candidates, political party committees and leadership PACs. Democrats received 95 percent. View the PAC’s 2011-2012 financial profile.