State GOP releases FEC complaints against Lunsford

U.S. Senate candidate Bruce LunsfordCopies of the FEC complaints filed by Republican Party of Kentucky (RPK) Chairman Steve Robertson against Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford were released today.

The full complaint, with attachments, is viewable here (in .pdf form).

As reported yesterday, the RPK contends Lunsford's April 21 appearance on the CW program "Louisville Live this Morning" violated FEC rules requiring the display of a disclaimer and image of the candidate at the close of the broadcast, as Lunsford paid $200 to the station in conjunction with his appearance.

The RPK's argument claims this payment made the appearance an advertisement for Lunsford.

Given the seven-minute length of Lunford's apperance, the RPK also contends a disclaimer should have been displayed at the beginning and end of the broadcast segment.

A verbal notification of Lunsford's sponsorship of the segment was offered by the program's host at the conclusion of the appearance.

The RPK's complaint contends Lunsford should not recieve the "lowest unit cost" advertising rate from the CW as he did not meet these disclaimer requirements, and requests the FEC require the CW to seek funds from Lunsford for the "difference between the LUC and the CW's usual charge."

The RPK also packed some extra information into their legal complaint, including a jab at the Lunsford campaign for filing a similar complaint against its Democratic primary opponent, Greg Fischer.

"Lunsford's campaign attorney out of Washington, D.C. details alleged violations by Fischer of the very FCC disclaimer rules that Lunsford's campaign itself has violated," reads the RPK complaint.

Lunsford's complaint - sent to television stations running Fischer's ad - is available here in .pdf form.

The Lunsford campaign responded to the news of the RPK complaints in an e-mail to PolitickerKY.com yesterday, noting they would take responsibility if they were legally required to ensure the disclaimer ran.

"It was acknowledged on the air that the interview segment was paid for by the campaign. The campaign was not at all involved in the production of the television show," said campaign spokesperson Allison Haley. "If there was a written disclaimer required in that instance and the campaign was responsible for making sure the television producers put that on the air, it was an oversight and we will take responsibility."

The Lunsford campaign also blasted the complaint by Robertson as the work of "Mitch McConnell's hatchet man," referencing the four-term incumbent U.S. Senator who will face the winner of the Democratic Senate primary.

EARLIER on PolitickerKY.com:

• State GOP files FEC complaint against Lunsford over TV appearance
• Lunsford camp responds to GOP's disclaimer charge
• Lunsford with 25-point lead, but Fischer doubles support