A former business partner of State Rep. Vern Buchanan says he was responsible for improperly reimbursing employees for contributions they made to Buchanan's congressional campaigns.

The Bradenton Herald reports a federal court in Jacksonville said Sam Kazran, Buchanan's former business partner, committed "non-knowing and non-willful" violations when he reimbursed employees of a Jacksonville car dealership he co-owned with Buchanan. The reimbursements totaled $67,900 for contributions they made to Buchanan's campaigns in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Kazran's attorney says Kazran is "just a pawn in a scheme devised by Vern Buchanan." As part of the settlement, Kazran will pay civil penalties totaling $11,000 over the next two years.

Attorneys for Buchanan have acknowledged that the Justice Department is conducting a separate investigation of Buchanan's campaign finances.