Florida; FEC drops probe of Martinez ads
The Orlando Sentinel reports: The Federal Election Commission has dropped a long-standing investigation of Sen. Mel Martinez after finding no evidence that the Florida Republican illegally coordinated 2004 political ads with President Bush.
The decision ends a two-year inquiry into allegations that Martinez helped Bush's re-election bid by using the same advertising firm to synchronize TV and radio commercials -- a violation of election law.
But the FEC ruled the commercials were not part of a coordinated campaign to help both candidates. It also found the firm, Washington-based Stevens & Schriefer Group, adequately separated the accounts to prevent collusion.
Advertising for the two campaigns had "insufficient similarity to raise even an inference of coordination," according to agency records. The Martinez campaign was told of the ruling in mid-October; the full case file became public record this month. -- Feds drop probe of Martinez ads - Orlando Sentinel : State News Feds drop probe of Martinez ads - Orlando Sentinel : State News