Stations pull Democratic ads attacking Floyd; Heaton called to denounce them
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
DICK HEATON
Monday, Oct. 29, 2012 — Local radio stations have pulled a state Democratic party ad attacking incumbent state Rep. David Floyd after the ad’s accuracy was proven to be inaccurate.
In an e-mail to Floyd, WBRT managing partner Roth Stratton said that his station pulled the ad on the recommendation of the Kentucky Broadcast Association’s attorneys.
In addition to WBRT, WYSB and WLSK also withdrew the ad Monday. The ad, paid for by the state Democratic party on behalf of 50th District Democratic house candidate Dick Heaton, was pulled after Floyd’s attorneys issued a cease and desist letter and provided evidence refuting the ad’s claims.
The Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) radio spot accused Floyd of not paying taxes and of registering one of his companies in Wyoming in order to avoid paying Kentucky taxes. Floyd’s law firm, Fulton, Hubbard & Hubbard, called the ad defamatory and damaging to Floyd’s reputation and business.
REP. DAVID FLOYD
The allegations in the ad “are wholly unsupported and clearly manufactured with a malicious disregard for the truth” according to the cease-and-desist letter.
The law firm provided a statement from the Floyd’s accounting firm — Bardstown-based Brown & Co. — stating the Floyds have no outstanding taxes due. “Any attempt to suggest otherwise is a direct misstatement of the facts I have stated above and a direct disparaging comment aimed the CPA firm that prides itself on timely filing the necessary and appropriate returns,” the CPA firm said in its statement, which was signed by W. Gilbert Brown III.
In a press release, state GOP Chairman Steve Roberts applauded the radio stations’ decision to pull the KDP ad.
“I find it ironic that the only political party to have ads pulled from the airwaves during this election season is the Kentucky Democratic Party which is controlled by Governor Steve Beshear,” Robertson said.
“Dick Heaton must stand up to the Kentucky Democratic Party by denouncing this false attack on Representative David Floyd,” Robertson said. Heaton’s campaign has accepted $10,000 from the KDP, Robertson noted.
In earlier statements to the media, Heaton has said he had no control over ads paid for by “outside groups.”
“It seems he wants to have it both ways in this election,” Robertson added. “He’s happy to accept the cash from this group but doesn’t want to take the heat for their vicious, personal attacks. He needs to return the money from his campaign to the Kentucky Democratic Party if wants to be able to walk down the street with his head held up high.”.
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