MSNBC Suspends Joe Scarborough Over Campaign Donations

Joe Scarborough has been suspended for two days by MSNBC over money the on-air host gave to candidates for office -- a violation of the network's ban on political contributions by employees without permission.

The "Morning Joe" co-host accepted the suspension -- which comes without pay -- and offered an apology to his bosses, Politico reported.

"I recognize that I have a responsibility to honor the guidelines and conditions of my employment, and I regret that I failed to do so in this matter," Scarborough said in a statement Friday. "I apologize to MSNBC and to anyone who has been negatively affected by my actions."

He'll be off the air Monday and Tuesday.

Scarborough made a series of $500 contributions to local candidates in Florida, where he was once a Republican congressman.

Earlier this month MSNBC suspended Keith Olbermann for making three separate donations of $2,400 to political candidates this year.

Network spokesman Jeremy Gaines told The Daily Beast that Scarborough's two-day penalty was designed to be "in parallel to what was done two weeks ago" with Olbermann.