A California judge ruled on Monday that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) violated the same campaign finance limits Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante (D) was criticized for.

Schwarzenegger said he always intended to repay a $4.5 million bank loan he used for his campaign. He doesn't plan to appeal the decision.

Both Schwarzenegger and Bustamante relied on advice from the state's Fair Political Practices Commission, which indicated that the candidates could accept large dollar donations. Bustamante was hit for taking money from several tribes.

Get the Story:
Judge: Watchdogs let candidates exploit loopholes (The Contra Costa Times 1/28)
Judge slams political monitor (The San Jose Mercury News 1/27)
Gov.'s Loan for Recall Ruled Illegal (The Los Angeles Times 1/27)
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Court rules against Bustamante donations (9/23)