MSNBC is suspending 'Morning Joe' host Joe Scarborough without pay for two days for making eight unreported campaign contributions of $500 each to Republican candidates running for local office in Florida.

Earlier this month, fellow MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was also suspended two days under similar circumstances, except that his contributions went to Democratic Party candidates. Just like in the case of Olbermann, Politico uncovered the donations using a fairly simple database search.

"This morning Joe Scarborough informed me that he made eight contributions of $500 each to local candidates in Florida between 2004-08," read a statement from MSNBC President Phil Griffin. "In my conversation with Joe two weeks ago (in the wake of Olbermann's suspension) he did not recall these contributions. Since he did not seek or receive prior approval for these contributions, Joe understands that I will be suspending him for violating our policy."

Scarborough has issued as statement of apology: "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. I apologize to MSNBC and to anyone who has been negatively affected by my actions."

The former GOP congressmen then pointed out that all of the contributions in question went to his brother and three long-time family friends -- all of whom were running for local offices in and around Scarborough's hometown of Pensacola, Fla.

"These contributions were nothing more than simple acts of friendship. I gained nothing personally, politically, or professionally from these donations," Scarborough argued, adding that because of the personal nature of the donations he didn't think he needed MSNBC approval.

If these are the extent of Scarborough's political givings, we would agree that they don't compromise in the slightest his position as a pundit who is open about his conservative-leanings.

Which is why it's so baffling that he didn't just own up to them two weeks ago. Scarborough might have still been suspended for violating company policy, but did he really think that the contributions, which are part of the public record, would never be uncovered? Say what you will about the ethics of MSNBC's corporate policy on political contributions, but Scarborough could have avoided this situation by just being honest. Like a lot of political scandals, it wasn't the crime, but the cover-up that landed Scarborough in hot water with his bosses.