Tim Cahill uses $20,000 in public campaign funding to pay legal bill

[Ian David]

Cahill uses $20,000 in public campaign funding to pay legal bill
By Kyle Cheney
State House News Service
Posted Oct 20, 2010 @ 07:34 AM

Two days after accepting $571,000 in public funds to help finance his gubernatorial campaign, independent Tim Cahill paid a $20,000 legal bill to the firm representing him in a lawsuit against former campaign aides, according to campaign finance filings posted Tuesday.

The Cahill campaign declined to respond to repeated calls and requests for comment. Cahill has defended taking public financing, arguing the funds aren't wasted and have traditionally been set aside by taxpayers to match funds raised by candidates themselves.

<snip>

"Tim Cahill is utilizing taxpayer funds for his negative ads," state Republican Party executive director Nate Little said when Cahill announced he would take the funds. "The fact is, taxpayers won't be taken for a ride on Cahill's bitter bus all around the Commonwealth. It's obvious to everyone but Cahill that his vanity campaign has blown up sky-high. He needs to stop wasting both our time and our money."

<snip>

According to Tuesday campaign finance filings, Cahill paid the Boston-based firm Demeo & Associates $20,000 on Oct. 7, the same day his attorney, Joseph Demeo, argued in Norfolk Superior Court that three ex-Cahill aides worked with Republicans to sabotage the Cahill campaign.
The campaign received its first round of public funds two days earlier.


More:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/politics/governor/x2048878680/Cahill-uses-20-000-in-public-campaign-funding-to-pay-legal-bill?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Mass]

1. Got to admire State House News Service efforts to link Patrick to this mess.

When will our local media stop using the GOP press releases.

[ProSense]

2. Oh brother

BOSTON — Two days after accepting $571,000 in public funds to help finance his gubernatorial campaign, independent Tim Cahill paid a $20,000 legal bill to the firm representing him in a lawsuit against former campaign aides, according to campaign finance filings posted Tuesday.

<...>

"Tim Cahill is utilizing taxpayer funds for his negative ads," state Republican Party executive director Nate Little said when Cahill announced he would take the funds. "The fact is, taxpayers won't be taken for a ride on Cahill's bitter bus all around the Commonwealth. It's obvious to everyone but Cahill that his vanity campaign has blown up sky-high. He needs to stop wasting both our time and our money."

What hypocrisy from Republicans. What exactly are they arguing: that he paid a legal bill or that he's advertising?

When did it become illegal to do either?