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Hourly Update

Web site attacking Munsil could bring more campaign cash

By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.19.2006
PHOENIX -- The Citizens Clean Elections Commission is investigating a web site which attacks Len Munsil, an inquiry that could mean additional cash for the Republican gubernatorial hopeful respond to it.
Michael Becker, the commission's voter education coordinator, said his agency became aware of the site at "www.lenmunsilfacts.com" on Monday.
The site quotes prior statements and writings by Munsil and makes general comments about his campaign and even his appearance.
Munsil campaign aide Nathan Sproul told Capitol Media Services staffers were aware of the site but had not yet decided what to do about it -- or even whether to complain to the commission.
But Becker said a complaint is not necessary, as his agency can open investigations on its own.
The outcome of the inquiry could end up actually aiding Munsil: The commission is empowered to provide Munsil with additional funds to match the expenditure.
In fact, Munsil already got an extra $8,591 from the commission based on automated pre-recorded phone calls attacking his stance on immigration the day before the Sept. 12 primary -- calls which the commission traced to the Arizona Conservative Trust, the group behind the web site.
Sproul said "cronies" of Gov. Janet Napolitano "have come up with this money-laundering scheme to attack munsil and disguise who paid for it."
But Sproul conceded the evidence -- such as links by some involved in the effort to Democrats -- is circumstantial.
Napolitano said she was not familiar either with the site or any of the names identified in creating it.
Bart Graves, publicist for the Arizona Democratic Party, also denied any involvement in the Arizona Conservative Trust.
And Napolitano turned aside questions of whether she was concerned that the tactics of the sponsors of the site would end up giving Munsil a financial leg up.
Munsil and Napolitano each have $680,774 in public funding. But state law allows the commission to provide "matching funds" to a candidate who is attacked by any outside group.
The Arizona Conservative Trust was formed Aug. 1 but had yet to disclose any contributions as of Aug. 23, the deadline for the last campaign finance reports.
Chandler resident Debra Dennis, listed as the chair of that committee, told Capitol Media Services she does believe people should know the source of the funds -- and then hung up.
The web site says the Arizona Conservative Trust got "major funding" from the Arizona Values Coalition.
That group, organized Sept. 5, has yet to file any campaign finance reports.
But Beau Memory, its chairman has links to the Democratic Party. Memory worked for the Kerry-Edwards campaign in North Carolina before coming to Arizona earlier this year.
Lee Hinnant, news editor of The News Reporter of Whiteville said Memory said he was moving to Arizona to work to reelect Napolitano.
Memory did not return repeated phone calls to his organization's office or his cell phone.