September 24, 2008 04:39 PM UTC

Markey Files Criminal Complaint Against Musgrave

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• by: Colorado Pols

Because the best way to respond to a smear is loudly and through every available microphone, as the Loveland Reporter-Herald reports:

The Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave has accused her of breaking the law by airing television ads that are “materially false.”

In a four-page letter to 8th Judicial District Attorney Larry Abrahamson, candidate Betsy Markey accuses Musgrave of distorting the truth on an advertisement being aired this week on Denver television stations.

In the ad, Musgrave accuses Markey of using her position as the northern Colorado district director for Sen. Ken Salazar to bring no-bid contracts to the business she had left, Syscom Services Inc.

Sprinkled in the ad are visuals comparing Syscom to Halliburton Inc., a federal contractor that has come under criticism for its ties to Vice President Dick Cheney – its former chief executive officer.

At the end, the ad states, “Millionaire Markey, the ultimate Washington insider. It’s time to come clean.”

Markey’s complaint addresses each section of the commercial, from the income received by Syscom before and during her work with the senator and her ownership status.

“The ad, rather than factual, seems to be a desperate attempt by a failing campaign to salvage the election through falsehood and slander,” the complaint states.