Raleigh, N.C. - John Edwards' defunct presidential campaign has less than a month to pay back $2.1 million in public matching funds to the U.S. Treasury, according to a Federal Election Commission decision unsealed Friday that upheld the panel's earlier finding.

The commission batted aside a set of arguments made by lawyers representing Edwards. They contend that the money in question was properly used during the campaign, and that problems with the commission itself led to an incorrect finding that the former Democratic vice presidential nominee received more money than he was entitled to.

During the year or so between when his campaign was registered with the FEC and when he bowed out of the race, Edwards received more than $12.8 million in public matching funds, which the commission determined in July was an overpayment of more than $2.1 million.

- Associated Press