AUGUSTA — The state ethics commission's staff will soon investigate the fundraising practices of a group that contributed at least $1.6 million to defeat same-sex marriage in Maine.

Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the commission, told members Thursday that he has outlined the scope of the investigation of the National Organization for Marriage.

Wayne has been directed by commission members to determine whether the group, which gave money to Stand For Marriage Maine, "solicited or received contributions totaling more than $5,000" to promote the people's veto of same-sex marriage.

Stand for Marriage Maine, the primary political action committee that supported the Yes on 1 campaign, had raised more than $2.5 million as of the last reporting period. Post-election reports are due Dec. 15.

On Nov. 3, voters repealed the state's new same-sex marriage law, 53 percent to 47 percent.

In October, the National Organization for Marriage said it donated money from its general fund to the campaign and did not specifically raise money for the Maine effort.

Wayne said his investigation will include these questions:

• What fundraising methods did the National Organization for Marriage use to solicit money it contributed to Stand for Marriage Maine?

• What was the group's purpose in soliciting or receiving those funds?

• What did the group communicate to the individuals and organizations that it solicited?

The National Organization for Marriage sued in U.S. District Court on Oct. 21 to try to block the ethics investigation. A judge denied the request.

A group called Californians Against Hate requested the investigation, alleging that the National Organization for Marriage should be required to disclose the names of its donors.