Posted on 01/28/2004 9:55:31 PM PST by Howlin
MIAMI - A former campaign staffer has sued U.S. Senate candidate Larry Klayman, claiming the Miami attorney slandered him with an accusation that he stole campaign documents.
Klayman denies the allegations by consultant Paul Rolf Jensen and says he's the target of "dirty tricks" by former New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith, a rival in the Florida Republican primary.
Smith spokesman Peter Schweitzer acknowledged that Smith and Jensen are friends but said the consultant is not on the campaign staff.
"Senator Smith doesn't play political dirty tricks," Schweitzer said.
Klayman hired Jensen in August but Jensen quit in October over a pay dispute. In his lawsuit, Jensen alleges Klayman later told other campaign consultants that Jensen "had committed a crime" and needed to "hire a criminal lawyer."
Klayman, former chairman of conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, has asked a federal judge to seal the case, and a hearing was scheduled for Friday. Spokesman David E. Johnson said Klayman wants to seal the case because it involves an employment matter.
Jensen declined comment Wednesday through Steve Elie, his Los Angeles-based attorney.
Jensen is seeking compensatory damages of at least $80,000 and punitive damages of at least $2.5 million in the case, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va., in late December.
Klayman and Smith are seeking the GOP nomination to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham. The field of Republicans also includes former Housing Secretary Mel Martinez, former U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd and state Sen. Daniel Webster.
Why give up JW and its national base, for such a longshot?
I think he has another agenda. (I won't say what I think it is.)
deport, you still got the badge picture? Wouldn't it be nice if Larry had REAL badges in his face?
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