New Musgrave TV ad trumpets Markey ethics violation charges

In its latest television ad released Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's campaign reiterated charges that Democratic opponent Betsy Markey violated U.S. Senate ethics rules as her company accepted government contracts while she worked as a Senate staffer.

The ad claims "Millionaire Markey" is "caught in corruption and scandal," even though no evidence has been shown that Markey used her position as a staffer for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar to benefit her information technology company, Syscom Systems.

The ad began running today on broadcast TV, Musgrave manager Jason Thielman told PolitickerCO.com.

Markey divested herself of her 51 percent in Syscom  in November of 2005, according to documents she showed the Denver Post. But she accepted a position as Northern Colorado district director for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Denver) soon after he took office in January of 2005.

 In October 2005, the Senate Ethics Committee's chief counsel, Robert Walker, replied to a inquiry by Salazar that while Markey's ownership of the company did not violate any laws or ethical guidelines. "Syscom Services Inc. may not solicit or accept business from any individual or entity that Ms. Markey has or is likely to come into contact with as a result of her Senate employment, nor may Syscom Services Inc. sell services or products to any such individual or entity," according to the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Markey left her Senate staffer job in 2007 to focus on her congressional campaign.

The ad also references contradictory claims about when Markey divested herself from her business. Her 2008 personal disclosure report lists Syscom as an asset, though she showed the Denver Post a stock transfer certificate dated Nov. 1, 2005 divesting her interest in the company to her husband, Jim Kelly.

"Marilyn Musgrave has been caught in a lie," responded Markey spokesperson Ben Marter. "She has yet to produce any evidence to support her lies and by continuing to make false statements, she's directly contradicting news reports that have shown her accusations to be lies. Marilyn Musgrave needs to apologize to the voters of the 4th Congressional District for lying to them."