Radio Attack Ads Target RI House Speaker Gordon Fox
by Mark Curtis, ABC 6 Political Reporter
Providence radio station WPRO is in the spotlight, after running paid political ads attacking Rhode Island House Speaker Gordon Fox.
The ad blames Fox for Curt Schilling's failed video game venture.
The ad said, “He's the architect of the 38 Studios debacle. $75 million dollars right out of the taxpayers pockets.”
Radio station records show the ads were bought by a Connecticut group known as “Concerned Rhode Islanders Against Gordon Fox:
Democrats are crying foul.
Fox Campaign Spokesman Bill Fisher says, “You have to file your organization with the Board of Elections. And you certainly have to file your contributions. So the ad is constructed illegally; it's been placed on the air illegally.”
ABC 6 Reporter Mark Curtis said, “The campaign of House Speaker Gordon Fox believes this radio ad is illegal and it may go to court to ask a judge to issue an injunction, to stop the ad from playing anymore on the radio.”
The ad goes on to say, “Here in Rhode Island we've let the ‘Fox' own the hen house for years.”
Independent Mark Binder, who is running against Gordon Fox, also blames him – in part – for the 38 Studios mess.
But Binder's campaign says the radio ads are not theirs.
Binder campaign spokesman Pete Kerwin said, “38 Studios, so I think it's something on a lot of people's minds. So to suggest our campaign is the only folks talking about it, I think is a little out there.”
Q: Mark Curtis – “So he (Binder) had nothing to do with the ads?”
A: (Kerwin) – “Not at all.”
For now the ads targeting Speaker Gordon Fox, remain on the airwaves.
