Landrieu repays part of questioned travel costs

Oct. 3, 2013: Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., center, joined by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., left, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., right, she speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP)

Democratic Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu says her campaign has reimbursed the federal government nearly $34,000 for flights she took that included political fundraising events dating to 2002.

Landrieu says Friday that she apologizes and takes full responsibility for "mistakes stemming from sloppy bookkeeping."

Landrieu is seeking a fourth term in November. Louisiana Republican Party director Jason Dore filed a complaint Sept. 2 with the Senate Ethics Committee, accusing Landrieu of billing taxpayers for campaign travel.

In February 2002, rules changed about flights that include both official business and campaign activities.

If political events make up at least 15 percent of the time for a senator's trip, the campaign must pay a prorated share of the flight cost. Before then, costs were fully paid either by the government or the campaign.