A Greensboro video poker operator says he doesn’t know why he contributed money for political campaigns through money orders — rather than checks.

Fred Ayers bought a $500 money order in December 2001 for a campaign contribution to House Speaker Jim Black. Ayers also bought five $300 money orders for the N.C. Amusement Machine Association. All five of those money orders ended up in the association’s accounts on the same date.

Asked by elections board chairman Larry Leake why he didn’t just write a check and save the fees linked to money orders, Ayers said: “I have no explanation.”