"This Is A Big Deal"

Faith in Public Life reports:

FPL has extensively documented the lengthy misinformation campaign over the course of the health care debate, starting last year when opponents of reform argued that the bill included federal funding of abortion. These attacks have continued unabated in the run-up to the November election - as predicted months ago.

But now one of these groups, The Susan B. Anthony List - which is spending over $1.5 million on a campaign alleging that pro-life Representatives who supported health care reform voted for federal funding of abortion - may have broken the law in their deceptive campaign. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports today:

"A three-member panel of the Ohio Elections Commission ruled in favor of U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus today in his complaint against the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List.

The panel's "probable cause" finding means there will be another hearing to determine if the group broke Ohio law that bars making false statements in campaigns. Driehaus is up for re-election on Nov. 2. In the meantime, attorneys for both sides can begin taking sworn depositions.

Driehaus, a Democrat from West Price Hill, is fighting the group's plans to erect four billboards saying he favored taxpayer-funded abortions because he voted for the national health care bill.

Driehaus' Cincinnati attorney, Paul DeMarco, intends to depose SBA members to find out what they consider federal funding of abortions.

"They're actually conceding the argument that there is no new federal funding," Driehaus said.

The 1970 Hyde Amendment allowed federally-funded abortions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.

A date has not been set for another Elections Commission hearing where evidence will be argued. The commission can then recommend a public reprimand or prosecution, which can result in fines or jail time.

"This is a big deal," Driehaus said today. "The media made a big deal about this, (Steve) Chabot calling me a liar and now the Ohio Elections Commission came out on my side."

Driehaus has said the group is attacking any pro-life Democrat who supported the federal health care bill "because they're partisan."

The group's spokesman was not immediately available for comment today.

Ohio law allows the elections commission to issue a public reprimand, or refer the case to the Franklin County prosecutor. A criminal conviction for making false campaign statements is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000."

We'll be keeping a close eye on this story as it develops.