Joel Ebert

Money trail shows possible misconduct by state Sen. Brian Kelsey

There’s a money trail leading from the state campaign coffers of Sen. Brian Kelsey to radio advertisements used by an outside group to buoy his unsuccessful 2016 congressional bid, according to the findings of a USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee investigation.

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The issues illustrate campaign finance concerns across the country: How do regulators effectively police the flow of state campaign funds into federal races, a purportedly banned practice?

Kelsey’s trail involves the use of political action committees controlled by a private Nashville club, a prominent but controversial GOP donor and a well-known conservative advocacy organization. It also may indicate illegal conduct by Kelsey and others, an expert said.