Santorum pays late fee in hopes of entering caucuses

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has paid a $1,000 late fine to cover his entry into the Nevada GOP presidential caucuses.

Nevada Republican executive director David Gallagher told The Associated Press on Monday that Santorum's campaign paid the fine and a $1,000 down payment toward the $10,000 caucus registration fee on Friday after missing an earlier deadline.

Santorum's campaign must pay the remaining $9,000 by next Friday or Nevada Republicans won't be able to vote for him during the Feb. 4 caucuses.

All the other major presidential candidates, including Herman Cain, paid the full fee on time. Cain has since suspended his campaign, but will not receive a refund.

Nevada is slated to hold the nation's fifth Republican nomination contest in advance of the 2012 general election.