franken-hedThe U.S. Senate contest may finally be over, but Republicans are still paying a price for the protracted electoral fight. Minnesota’s Republican Party sent a check for $96,000 to Al Franken earlier this week to cover some of his legal bills. Coleman was ordered to pay the court costs (which does not include attorney’s fees) after a three-judge panel rejected his attempt to overturn the election result.

According to the Associated Press, the check was sent by courier to Franken’s campaign committee and was received Tuesday — the same day that Franken was sworn in as a U.S. Senator. It included $872 in interest that has accrued since Coleman was ordered to make the payment.