Topeka ? A Wichita contracting company has agreed to pay a $15,000 fine, the largest ever assessed by the state Governmental Ethics Commission, to resolve a case arising from allegations the firm violated campaign finance laws.

The commission on Thursday approved a consent decree signed by its attorney and an attorney for Cornejo & Sons Inc. In the decree, the company continued to maintain its innocence.

The commission’s staff had accused the company of 24 violations involving contributions to candidates for office in Sedgwick County, dating to 1997.

A complaint filed by the commission said the company reimbursed employees and associates for the contributions they made. Under Kansas law, such an act represents making an illegal donation in the name of another person.

The candidates who received money included former state Rep. Carlos Mayans, who won the Wichita mayor’s race this year.