Eckersley Campaign to File Ethics Charges in Fraudulent E-Mail Scandal: Campaign Points Finger at Billy Long

Scott Eckersley's campaign has made no doubts about who they think are behind the fraudulent e-mail that was sent to media sources claiming they were suspending their campaign. They believe Jeff Roe, Billy Long's campaign strategist is behind the fraudulent e-mail.

In a move that may have awakened and encouraged Democrats to vote, the media woke up today to read a fraudulent e-mail written from a Yahoo! account claiming Scott was bowing out of the Congressional race. The Eckersley campaign appears to be moving to take legal action. They have released the following press release:

Springfield, MO 29th October 2010: A fraudulent email declaring Scott Eckersley had withdrawn from Missouri’s 7th district congressional race is more than a hoax; it is criminal conduct which carries jail time. The Eckersley campaign is pursuing legal action, filing complaints with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice.

Eckersley’s attorney, Neil Reiff said that the email violates 2 U.S. code section 441h (Fraudulent Misrepresentation of Campaign Authority), and is a very serious offense.

The Eckersley Campaign is also pursuing action through Yahoo to close the fraudulent account from which the email was sent.