Cathy Myers files FEC complaint against Randy Bryce over debt repayment

Bill Glauber | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cathy Myers filed a Federal Election Commission complaint Thursday against her Democratic foe Randy Bryce, claiming he converted campaign funds to personal use in violation of election law.

Myers and Bryce are locked in a primary fight in the 1st Congressional District and are hoping to succeed House Speaker Paul Ryan of Janesville, who is retiring at the end of his term. Five Republicans are also running in a primary.

In her complaint, Myers cited a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about a long-time debt Bryce owed a former girlfriend.

RELATED: Questions raised about payment made by lawyer to Randy Bryce's ex-girlfriend

Bryce's ex-girlfriend, Rhonda Slechta, said the check for $4,245.73 came in November from the Milwaukee-based law firm Halling & Cayo and was personally delivered by one of the firm's attorney's, Jeremy Levinson.

Bryce's campaign paid Halling & Cayo $7,703.73 on Jan. 30, but officials said that sum was unrelated to the payment made to his ex-girlfriend.

Levinson said he had assisted the campaign on various election issues.

"As for my work for Randy Bryce in a personal capacity, invoices issued to him reflect fees and costs incurred and each was promptly paid with personal funds," he told the Journal Sentinel.

In a statement, Myers said: “There is bipartisan support for getting money out of politics and ending the culture of corruption in Washington, so we need to hold our leaders to the highest standards, regardless of party affiliation. If political donors are paying for Randy Bryce’s past mistakes, all voters deserve to know that."

The Bryce campaign said it remained focused "on talking to voters about the issues in southeast Wisconsin, and we hope all the candidates in the race for the First Congressional District do the same."

"We are in construction, not demolition," said Bryce campaign spokesperson Julia Savel.