Mayor Bowser fined $13,000 for illegal campaign contributions

WASHINGTON - D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she regrets the mistakes made in connection to donation violations during her mayoral campaign.

Bowser raised over $3.6 million for her 2014 mayoral campaign. However, there are limits in place on contribution amounts that can be made and 13 contributions accepted by her campaign were over the legal limit.

Some of these donations were made by developers and contractors that conduct business with the city. The mayor said as soon as her campaign found out, they were dealt with it and the illegal contributions have been returned. Bowser's campaign has also been ordered to pay a $13,000 fine.

"In our 2014 campaign, we had over 7,000 contributions for our campaign," Bowser said. "What we have identified is 12 errors. So I always want to be 100 percent right. We will put programs in place to get us to 100 percent right and that is my assurance - everybody knows that is how I operate."

Former mayor and Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, who ran against Bowser in the 2014 election, said he was attacked after a five-year federal investigation was conducted into his 2010 campaign.

"It seems very hypocritical because it was the same race that we were in where I lost the election thanks to people who intervened in that election in inappropriate ways in my opinion," said Gray. "But those are the same issues that she raised about me. I think what it calls for is I have a bill now, and others have bills also - the need for campaign finance reform in the District of Columbia."

Gray was not charged after the federal investigation was closed.

We also asked Gray if he will make another run for mayor.

"You know, I hear it every day," he said. "I would say no less than six times a day. I have already heard a number of times today. I have not made up my mind."