TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A longtime Republican activist in Kansas has filed two ethics complaints against a state senator, accusing him of misusing campaign funds and filing a false campaign finance report with the state.
Kris Van Meteren, of Ozawkie, filed the complaints Tuesday against Sen. Dwayne Umbarger, a Thayer Republican, with the state Governmental Ethics Commission.
Van Meteren is a reviving a case he pursued unsuccessfully in 2008, but he’s also added new allegations.
Umbarger called the complaints a waste of taxpayer dollars. He said it’s a sign he’s likely to face opposition in the GOP primary in August.
Van Meteren is questioning about $6,000 worth of expenditures made by Umbarger from his campaign fund from 2004 into 2009, alleging that Umbarger illegally converted campaign funds to personal use. Umbarger disputes the allegations.
