RPOF Files Complaint Over Morgan & Morgan's Charlie Crist Billboards

The Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) lodged a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission on Tuesday regarding how trial attorney Morgan & Morgan are running billboards across the state featuring former Gov. Charlie Crist. Despite spending most of his political career as a Republican, Crist is the favorite for the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. Rick Scott in November. Crist worked for Morgan when he left office after the 2010 elections.

The RPOF insisted the billboards are an unreported in-kind contribution that far exceeds the statutory contribution limit of $3,000 per person.

Juston Johnson, executive director of the RPOF, offered his take after filing the complaint.

"I guess it should be no surprise that trial lawyer Charlie Crist is being helped by his trial lawyer partners at Morgan & Morgan, but his campaign's failure to report their help is a violation of the law, Johnson insisted Tuesday. Morgan & Morgan billboards, with Charlie Crist's face on them while he was a declared candidate, qualified as a reportable contribution. Failing to report the billboards is a clear breach of the law and a promise to work 'for the people.'"