Election Complaint Filed Against Embattled Florida Rep. Buchanan

August 20, 2008 8:24 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A prominent government watchdog filed an election complaint against Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) on Tuesday, a week after the Florida Democratic Party asked the FBI to investigate allegations of campaign finance law violations against the lawmaker.

In its complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) accused Buchanan of coercing employees to donate to his campaign, of misrepresenting campaign contributions and receiving corporate donations. The complaint was filed against Buchanan and two former employees at Buchanan's car dealerships, Carlo Bell and D.J. Padilla.

Buchanan, who has interests in 25 auto dealerships, has been accused by former employees of engaging in fraudulent business practices and forcing them to contribute to his 2006 election campaign.

Joe Kezer, a former finance director at Buchanan's Sarasota Ford dealership, filed a lawsuit in May accusing the first-term congressman of dismissing him and retaliating against him because he refused to participate in questionable business practices.

Bell, also a former finance director for Buchanan's Venice car dealership, filed a suit this month saying the dealership falsified credit reports in the sale and financing of cars. Bell also accused Buchanan of asking employees to make a $1,000 campaign contribution and then reimbursing them in cash to skirt election laws.

"The allegations against Rep. Buchanan, which are backed up with affidavits and a bank deposit slip, suggests serious violations of campaign finance law. The FEC should investigate and refer the matter to the Department of Justice for further action," CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan said Tuesday.

Buchanan has denied the allegations. His campaign spokesman, Sally Tibbets, told ABC Action News earlier this month that the accusations were an "attempt to smear" the congressman by his rival, Christine Jennings.