Bradley campaign told to return money $14,055

WASHINGTON -- Federal election officials Thursday ordered former Sen. Bill Bradley's presidential campaign to repay taxpayers $14,055. That is the amount of federal matching funds Bradley's 2000 campaign received above its entitlement. The former New Jersey senator's campaign previously paid the U.S. Treasury $28,085, the value of checks the campaign sent to pay bills or refund contributors but the recipients didn't cash.

Bradley left the race for the Democratic presidential nomination in March 2000 after then-Vice President Al Gore won the "Super Tuesday" primaries.

The Bradley campaign received nearly $12.5 million in federal matching funds. The government matched the first $250 of each individual donation for candidates who agreed to abide by a primary-spending limit.

The FEC audits each presidential campaign that accepts federal funds.