Topeka ? A Statehouse lobbyist Thursday agreed to pay a record $5,000 fine for a violation of Kansas lobbying laws.

Tom Burgess failed to keep accurate reports of his expenses in lobbying state officials, according to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.

Under a consent decree between the commission and Burgess, he agreed to pay a $5,000 civil fine, the maximum allowed for a first-time violation — and the largest ever levied against a lobbyist in Kansas, officials said.

The consent decree was unanimously approved without comment by the commission after a five-minute closed-door meeting.

Burgess is president of a family-operated lobbying and consulting firm in Topeka, according to a Web site for Burgess & Associates.

His father, Denny Burgess, a former state lawmaker, is senior partner, and other family members work for the firm. Mike Burgess, Tom’s brother, is a Republican state lawmaker from Topeka.

Tom Burgess did not attend Thursday’s hearing. He was represented by Rick Rehorn, a Democratic state lawmaker who is running for mayor of Kansas City, Kan.

Rehorn said the allegations against Burgess were that he failed to keep adequate backup records. “There was no allegation that he didn’t disclose” expenses, Rehorn said.

“He didn’t keep good records,” said Carol Williams, executive director of the Ethics Commission.

The commission alleged the violation occurred between May 2002 and May 2003. Burgess has since filed amended lobbying reports that reduced the amount he reported spending to lobby for two clients — Westar Energy and the Kansas Health Care Assn.

In December 2002, he reported spending $718 on behalf of Westar, and in January 2003, $612. He reduced those amounts to $284 and $233. In December 2002, Burgess reported spending $787 on behalf of lobbying for the Health Care Assn., and in January 2003, $409. He reduced those amounts to $138 and $165.

The consent decree says Burgess failed to keep records and accounts of expenditures reported in the required reports filed with the Ethics Commission.

Under the decree, Burgess does not admit to any willful violation, and the commission cannot take further civil action against him.

Rehorn said the discrepancies in Burgess’ reports came up during a random audit by the ethics agency.