Bob Bischoff (D) and Jud McMillin (R).

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - A campaign mailer is causing a war of words between the two candidates for the hotly contested Indiana House District 68 seat.

In addition to television ads supporting Bob Bischoff, the Indiana Democratic State Central Committee recently sent out the mailer to voters across the district. The mail piece and television spot feature an investigation Republican opponent Jud McMillin faced when working as a deputy prosecutor in Montgomery County, Ohio.

“Jud McMillin took advantage of his position and his power,” the mailers said, headlined by "the disgusting, unprofessional, immoral record of Jud McMillin."

McMillin said in a statement that the ads meant to smear his name aren't truthful.

In 2005, McMillin was accused of having an inappropriate, sexual relationship with the victim of a domestic abuse crime he was prosecuting. 

According to a Dayton Daily News article dated Nov. 18, 2005 cited in the mailer, the Centerville woman filed a complaint alleging McMillin told her she could be prosecuted if she did not testify against her boyfriend, who had broken into and burglarized her home, charged in the case.

The boyfriend – John C. Gonzalez, 25, of Centerville – would later plead guilty and be sentenced to 60 days in jail.

In a written statement given to Eagle 99.3 Tuesday, the Republican candidate does admit to having a relationship with that woman.

“If some say dating a woman I had met through my work was not the best decision, I will not argue with them,” McMillin wrote. “But the unscrupulous allegations that are being made by my opponent are disgustingly false, and he knows it.”

A civil suit filed by the woman against McMillin in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court was dismissed in 2007.

McMillin also pointed out that the Ohio Bar Association ruled there was no ethical violation on his part because he had resigned from the prosecutor’s office before entering into the relationship. McMillin has no discipline or sanction history currently on file with the State of Ohio.

“I have never had any disciplinary actions taken against me in my professional career, and the creative and completely fabricated lawsuit that was filed against me at the hands of an unscrupulous defense attorney attempting to create leverage to get his son, a convicted felon, out of prison was quickly dismissed when my resolve to fully defend and not to be strong-armed into any settlement was understood,” McMillin said.

McMillin claims Bischoff was verbally circulating the allegations when the two ran for HD 68 in 2008.  McMillin said he personally delivered the court documentation regarding the case and lawsuit to Bischoff in order to show the allegations were false.

“When campaigns twist the truth to create unfounded attacks on a candidate’s personal character, honesty and integrity are sacrificed to meet the needs of those with political motives. All too often this discourages the quality people we need to represent us from running for office, leaving the seats to be filled by those whose lack of regard for honesty and integrity allows them to play degrading political games,” said McMillin.

LINKS:

Bischoff: Never Agreed To Town Halls

Bischoff, McMillin Invited To Town Halls