ATLANTA --- Violations of state ethics laws resulted in a $40,000 fine against former University System of Georgia Regent Timothy Shelnut, the largest civil penalty the State Ethics Commission has ever assessed an individual.

The commission voted unanimously Thursday to accept a consent order signed by Mr. Shelnut, an Augusta resident who previously admitted to making campaign donations in excess of state limits and giving $24,000 to others to make donations in his name from the mid-1990s to 2004.

Mr. Shelnut, who said he would be glad to put the violations behind him, did not return a call for comment Thursday.

Commissioners also hit current regent Donald Leebern Jr. with a $37,750 civil penalty for failing to disclose to the state his personal finances in 2005 and 2006.

Until February, Mr. Leebern, a regent since 1991, had failed to electronically file 2005 and 2006 disclosure forms and state business transaction reports. In February, he filed statements showing $90,000 worth of bottled water sales between his company, Georgia Crown Beverage Inc., and the university system.

Despite the fine, Mr. Leebern's belief is unwavering that his violations were not serious, spokesman Phil Kent said.

Thursday also marked a single-day record in the amount of fines the commission handed down.

Realtors PAC, a wing of the Georgia Association of Realtors, was hit with a record $80,000 fine for failing to disclose $585,732 in campaign contributions the political action committee made to candidates for the Legislature and lieutenant governor during the 2006 primary elections.