AUGUSTA, Maine — The chairman of the Maine Democratic Party has acknowledged for the first time that his resignation stems in part from a scheme to help bankroll a U.S. Senate campaign in Rhode Island.

Similar efforts by state Democratic parties in Hawai'i and Massachusetts have also come under scrutiny.

Patrick Colwell, who first announced that he was stepping down next month to spend time with his family and pursue other opportunities, said in a statement Friday that he decided to resign after the scheme became public "so the party can move forward."

Colwell said the $10,000 contribution to Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown was legal, but "a mistake in judgment." The money flow raised questions as to whether Brown was trying to evade federal limits on campaign contributions by having his supporters funnel them through out-of-state parties.

Colwell's statement came after Democratic Gov. John Baldacci said he was "dismayed" by the transaction when he first heard of it through the news media.

The governor said Colwell did not consult him before the party made the "mistake" of contributing the $10,000 on Dec. 31. Shortly thereafter, two of Brown's supporters, who each had given Brown the maximum $4,200 allowed by federal law, contributed $12,000 to the Maine Democratic Party.

Brown supporters and state Democratic parties in Massachusetts and Hawai'i had similar transactions. Brown, one of two Democratic candidates for the seat held by Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee, received a combined total of $25,000 from party officials in the three states.

Brown has said he did nothing wrong but was returning the parties' contributions to his campaign to avoid the appearance of wrongdoing.

Citing a lack of time and money, the Maine Republican Party has declined to join its Hawai'i counterpart in filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission. Maine GOP officials said they believe all the information will come out as a result of the Hawai'i complaint.