COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A liberal policy group says it has sent a complaint to the Federal Election Commission over television ads for Republican Mitt Romney that use images of miners from an eastern Ohio mine.
ProgressOhio's letter dated Monday alleges Romney's presidential campaign and Murray Energy Corp. violated campaign finance regulations. ProgressOhio's director says he believes the miners were required to attend a Romney rally at a Beallsville mine, and that their attendance amounted to an illegal campaign contribution.
A statement from Murray on Tuesday says the allegations are baseless. Murray has said it closed the Century Mine for one shift during the Aug. 14 event to ensure the site's security. Workers weren't paid for that time.
A Romney spokesman calls ProgressOhio's claims gimmicks and attempted distractions by allies of President Barack Obama.