Former state GOP chairman Ron Eibensteiner said Monday he was misquoted in an article about a questionable 2002 campaign contribution that led to misdemeanor charges against him.

Eibensteiner is accused of facilitating a corporate contribution to the Republican Party, a donation that is illegal under Minnesota law. When the St. Paul Pioneer Press originally reported on it, the newspaper quoted him as saying the money routed through a national Republican committee would be returned to Minnesota in some fashion.

Eibensteiner acknowledged under cross examination by special prosecutor Earl Gray that he never sought a retraction. Tim Huber, who co-wrote the original story, testified earlier in the trial that the quote was correct. He said he didn't keep his notes.

A key piece of evidence in his trial is a thank-you note Eibensteiner signed and sent to a lobbyist connected with the Florida insurance company that made the donation. Eibensteiner testified that he didn't know who wrote the note for him. He guessed that it was a form letter drafted by a volunteer.

A check from American Bankers Insurance Co. was made payable to the Republican National State Election Committee. But it was sent to a state party office in St. Paul. The company made a total of $15,000 in contributions to the GOP that year.

The company, which was facing a huge fine from state regulators, gave money to Democrats and Republicans in 2002 as part of an effort to defeat the gubernatorial candidate from Gov. Jesse Ventura's Independence Party. Their ultimate goal was to bring in a new commerce commissioner that would be more lenient.

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