Utah Congressman Bill Orton says the federal government erred in charging him, his campaign committee, a campaign worker and a political committee with violating election laws.
Orton has filed a response in U.S. District Court to a 10-count civil suit, filed last fall by the Federal Election Commission, which alleged numerous election law violations.The FEC lawsuit seeks more than $106,000 in fines and penalties from all defendants.
The suit also asked that Orton's campaign committee and the Utahns for Ethical Government political action committee be required to file amended reports. The congressman contends his campaign reports were correct.
Orton, a Democrat, represents Utah's 3rd Congressional District, which includes Morgan and Utah counties as well as much of central Utah.
He is seeking dismissal of the suit and asks that the court award him legal expenses.
Orton's official reply disputes allegations by the election commission that he was aware of and coordinated illegal campaign contributions while running for his seat in 199O.
The Utah County lawmaker also denies that Utahns for Ethical Government was formed primarily by "personal acquaintances."
Orton's reply to election commissioners argues he had nothing to do with the political action committee's decision to publicize allegations about questionable business dealings involving his Republican opponent, Karl Snow.
Several of the election commission's charges stem from five paid advertisements that ran just prior to the election and cost $11,452.
While Orton concedes the ads benefited his campaign, he denies the expenditures exceeded federal campaign limits. He also says none of the committee's expenditures was made in consultation with him.