J. D. Hayworth Accused of FEC Violations

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

One of the "four horsemen" of anti-immigrant hysteria in Maricopa County and the pied-piper of teabaggers, J.D. Hayworth, has been accused by former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods (and former chief of staff to Sen. John McCain) of violating FEC regulations by using his talk radio show on KFYI-550 AM to promote his potential primary challenge to Sen. John McCain. Grant Woods complains to FEC about Hayworth

Apparently Grant Woods has spare time on his hands while lobbying on behalf of the payday lender industry, and co-chairing the Accidental Governor's gubernatorial campaign. Brewer allies back payday lenders

The Arizona Republic reports Grant Woods complains to FEC about Hayworth:

The complaint filed by Grant Woods with the Federal Election Commission claims Hayworth, a former Republican congressman, cannot use his radio show to further his latest political aspirations. Woods estimates Clear Channel Communications, which broadcasts Hayworth's program, is effectively providing air time to Hayworth that would cost $540,000 each week to rebut in radio ads.

"You can't use the public airwaves . . . to explore your candidacy for public office ad nauseam, and I stress the nausea," said Woods, who once served as McCain's chief of staff.

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Woods said he decided to take action after McCain's campaign staffers complained repeatedly to him about the broadcasts. He said he submitted the FEC complaint without their approval and discussed the matter Tuesday with McCain, who "thought it was fine."

The Arizona Guardian (subscription required) J.D. Hayworth accused of breaking the lawadds that the complaint also charges Clear Channel Communications, Hayworth’s boss, with making corporate contributions in violation of federal election laws.

In the complaint, Woods says Clear Channel is donating as much as $540,000 per week in the form of in-kind contributions by allowing Hayworth to host the three-hour show.

Woods cites federal law that bans corporations from making donations from general treasury funds to a candidate for federal office. He says Hayworth is clearly “testing the waters” and should be treated as a candidate and not allowed to broadcast as long as he considering a run for office.

“During the past few weeks, Mr. Hayworth has repeatedly used almost his entire allotted airtime to promote his candidacy,” Woods said in the document. “And Mr. Hayworth has stated his intention to continue to use this corporate subsidy to campaign during the coming months.”

Woods goes on to request that the elections commission “immediately hold Clear Channel, KFYI and Mr. Hayworth accountable for knowingly and willfully making and accepting illegal in-kind corporate contributions.”

Woods was unavailable for comment Tuesday. But officials with McCain’s campaign said if Hayworth is not breaking the letter of the law, he’s certainly breaking the spirit if the law.

“As a matter of propriety (Woods) is absolutely right,” said McCain’s deputy campaign manager, Mike Hellon, who was speaking about the filing. “As far as legal standing, that’s another matter.”

Hellon went on to say that he doesn’t think Hayworth is serious about running. He said Hayworth is using this publicity to pay down the legal fees he racked up as a congressman defending himself against a federal investigation.

“He’s more serious about paying that off than anything else,” Hellon said. “And I think this also helps his ratings on the air.”

The FEC has been rendered impotent as a regulatory agency due to politicization of its board members. Clear violations of FEC regulations last year by the McCain presidential campaign were eventually dismissed and no fine assessed. I doubt anything will come of this complaint. This is just Senator McNasty trying to tweak a potential opponent.

Mike Hellon is right, J.D. Hayworth is not serious about running. He is just a loud-mouthed gas bag on talk radio. He doesn't have the cojones to actually run against McCain.