TRI-CITIES, Wash. (AP) — An investigation in Washington state has found more than $20,000 of taxpayer money improperly went to support a failed campaign in 2017 for improvements at a convention center in Kennewick.

The Kennewick Public Facilities District now faces fines up to $10,000 for each violation. The state Public Disclosure Commission conducted the investigation, revealing the district spent about $20,000 on a website, advertisements, a banner and fliers meant to sway voters to support a 0.2% sales tax increase.

The district maintained in a statement that the materials were meant to explain the issue to voters and didn’t break campaign rules.