The District Attorney responsible for the Pueblo area says he has completed an investigation into a political campaign ad that was sparked by a citizen’s complaint. He determined that no charges will be pursued in the case.

The investigation was requested by Karla Heard-Price. She alleged that Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn’s ad made false statements relating to the business background of the Republican challenger for nomination to that same seat, Robert Blaha.

The investigation was handed over to Thiebaut’s office because 4th Judicial District DA Dan May’s office was concerned about a possible conflict of interest. May has endorsed Lamborn in the past.

In a public letter to the complainant, District Attorney Bill Thiebaut notes that the bank in question has not joined in the complaint. He also wrote that the investigation found no evidence that Congressman Lamborn’s ad knowingly made false statements or statements with conscious disregard for the truth.

Thiebaut did find, however, that the complex subject of the bank’s financial condition was presented in such a way that suited Lamborn’s campaign goals. “Notwithstanding First Amendment Constitutional implications, in this instance Congressman Lamborn’s statements, although not necessarily untrue, take a complex subject and buy innuendo reach a conclusion to suit his political purposes.”

“Inflaming the tenor of political debate certainly makes for high drama, but Jeffersonian faith in the people compels us to debate the major issues of our time openly, honestly and thoroughly,” the District Attorney wrote in a footnote.