Seaman complains about truthful ad

Poor Gene Seaman. He can't get the local TV stations to stop running an ad that says nothing at all false about him.

Three local television stations have refused state Rep. Gene Seaman's request that they stop broadcasting a political commercial that he says makes false statements about him.

All three stations, ABC affiliate KIII, NBC affiliate KRIS and CBS affiliate KZTV, said Wednesday they will continue to air the ad. Lawyer Mikal Watts, who paid for the ad, sent a letter to the three stations asking that they continue to air it, and disputing Seaman's statements that the ad contains falsehoods.

The ad, which started running this week during primetime, associates Seaman with former congressman Tom DeLay, who resigned in an ethics scandal. The commercial criticizes Seaman for using campaign funds to pay rent on an Austin condo owned by his wife, and for a homestead exemption granted on the condo when the couple's primary residence is in Corpus Christi.

[...]

Watts said in his rebuttal letter to the stations that unless Seaman proves otherwise, the condominium is not Ellen Seaman's separate property because Texas is a community property state.

[...]

[Seaman's attorney Lance] Bruun's letter threatens legal action if the ads don't cease. Watts said Seaman should address any legal action to Watts and his Good Government PAC rather than the three stations.

"He is threatening all three stations," Watts said. "He can sue me or the PAC or both. The problem is that truth is a defense under the statute.

"He is hoping that the stations would rather pull the ad than face meritless litigation."

Poor Gene. Here's the ad:

Let's be clear about this: Seaman took money from TRMPAC. He used campaign funds to pay rent on the Austin condo that was listed in his wife's name. The checks for that were written to a bogus holding company, whose address happened to be the condo. He and his wife claimed two homestead exemptions. Whatever his reasons for taking these actions, he took them. If he doesn't like the fact that the ad brings it all up, he should have taken different actions.

BOR, PinkDome, and South Texas Chisme also comment. Need I remind you that Seaman is running to be replaced by Juan Garcia? Feel free to help Juan out if you can.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 06, 2006 to Election 2006 | TrackBack