Printable Version
Tell a friend
State lawmaker files complaint against congressional candidate Ed Fallon
Wednesday, April 9, 2008(Globe Gazette)
DES MOINES — A state
senator has filed a complaint with the Federal
Election Commission, arguing congressional
candidate Ed Fallon is using his for-profit
business to assist his bid for
office.
State Sen. Dick Dearden, the Des
Moines Democrat who is making the complaint, is
backing U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, who is
facing Fallon in the 3rd District Democratic
primary.
Dearden announced the filing of
the complaint at a news conference at the
Statehouse Wednesday.
During Fallon’s
time as a state legislator and his run for
governor in 2006, he was a strong advocate for
reducing the influence of money in
politics.
But Dearden said Fallon’s
business, I’M for Iowa, raises and spends money
without having to disclose it.
Dearden
also says the group’s Web site is being used to
further Fallon’s campaign.
“You know, he
talks about these things but when there’s
people contributing money, and nobody knows who
they are, I think it’s time that the FEC got
involved,” Dearden said.
In a statement,
Fallon said he welcomed an investigation by the
FEC.
“I live simply. I’ve always been a
voice for ethics in government, and I have
never taken a penny from a PAC or lobbyist,”
Fallon said. “Clearly, Boswell’s people are
trying to discredit me on my strengths instead
of discussing the real challenges facing
America. Voters deserve better than
this.”
Scott Ourth, manager of Boswell’s
campaign, said they aren’t behind the
complaint.
“If you look at the evidence,
it’s obvious that he’s violated, you know,
ethics rules and most probably the law,” Ourth
said.
Ourth said people can look at
Boswell’s campaign finance reports to see who
is contributing to his campaign.
“We
play by the rules. It appears that he doesn’t,”
Ourth said.