Legislator plans complaint about Fallon

Thursday, April 10, 2008

(Des Moines Register)

By THOMAS BEAUMONT

State Sen. Dick Dearden said Wednesday that he planned to complain to the Federal Elections Commission about Democratic congressional candidate Ed Fallon's use of the advocacy group he runs.

Dearden, also a Democrat, alleged that Fallon's group violated federal campaign law by promoting his campaign for Congress without disclosing its source of money.

Dearden supports U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, the Democrat Fallon is challenging in Iowa's 3rd District primary on June 3.

Fallon, a former state representative from Des Moines, started I'M for Iowa last year to promote issues such as climate control and clean elections, as well as to draw a salary.

Fallon received $13,750 in salary from his 2006 gubernatorial campaign, which is allowed under the state's campaign law, after losing the primary for governor.

Boswell and his campaign aides have raised questions about the relationship between I'M for Iowa and Fallon's campaign for Congress, but have not formally alleged wrongdoing. Dearden said he took the action without consulting Boswell or his campaign.

"He collects money and he's using the Web site - undisclosed money - to further his campaign," Dearden, of Des Moines, told reporters at a Capitol press conference.

"I've known Ed a long time, and he's always stood for clean elections," said Dearden, who served in the Legislature with Fallon and Boswell. "And he's not living up to that."

Dearden was referring to at least three e-mail messages sent from I'M for Iowa to the group's supporters, in which Fallon's candidacy was mentioned.

Federal campaign law forbids corporate money to be spent in a campaign for federal office. Dearden's argument is that the e-mail constitutes promoting Fallon's campaign by a group that is not required to disclose its source of money.

I'M for Iowa is registered as a trade name with the Polk County recorder, not as a corporation with the Iowa secretary of state. Neither is required to disclose its sources of money.

"Clearly, Boswell's people are trying to discredit me on my strengths instead of dis- cussing the real challenges facing America," Fallon said in a statement.

Fallon routinely criticizes Boswell for receiving campaign contributions from political action committees and lobbyists. Fallon says he has not accepted contributions from either source.

"I welcome the FEC's investigation, and I am eager for a debate with Congressman Boswell on the important issues, including campaign finance reform," Fallon added.

Fallon has said I'M for Iowa has not received contributions from corporations.

He has also said that he felt obliged to notify his I'M for Iowa supporters that he would be a candidate for Congress, as he did in a January e-mail before announcing his candidacy.

Another e-mail noted campaign festivities related to Fallon's 50th birthday.

Last week, Fallon included in an I'M for Iowa e-mail an explanation of his position on the questions raised by Boswell's campaign. Fallon wrote, "I've also discovered there's a price to be paid for running against a sitting Democratic congressman."