FORT COLLINS, COLO. (AP) -- A Larimer County Republican Party fundraiser to pay off a campaign finance fine has been moved to a private location, with reporters effectively barred from attending.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan reported that the Sept. 22 event featuring Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler -- who issued the fine -- was moved from a public park by county GOP chairman Tom Lucero. In an email to party members, Lucero said he changed the venue because the media had turned the event into a circus.

Gessler's spokesman told The Associated Press reporters can attend if they pay the $20 entrance fee. However, reporters don't usually pay to attend fundraisers because that would constitute a political contribution.

Gessler fined the party $48,700 for failing to file campaign finance reports last year but later reduced that to $15,700.

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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan 

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