Darr to reimburse state for improper spending

FILE -  In this file photo taken March 27, 2013, Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, a Republican, presides in the Senate chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Darr said Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 he is dropping out of the race for a seat in Congress representing south Arkansas amid ethics questions over his campaign finance reports. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)
FILE - In this file photo taken March 27, 2013, Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, a Republican, presides in the Senate chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Darr said Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 he is dropping out of the race for a seat in Congress representing south Arkansas amid ethics questions over his campaign finance reports. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

A state audit says Lt. Gov. Mark Darr received more than $12,000 in improper expenses.

Darr said in the document released Thursday that he intends to make full restitution to the state.

The audit report, which was presented to a legislative committee on Thursday, says the first-term Republican should pay back $9,836 for excess travel reimbursements and $2,339 for improper use of his state credit card.

The document says Darr reimbursed $1,202 to the state to cover part of the credit card spending, with $1,137 due.

A spokeswoman for Darr said the lieutenant governor wouldn't comment beyond his response in the audit.

Darr was running for the GOP nomination for the 4th District congressional seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton but he dropped out in September.

Read more on this story in Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

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