From the AP:
Colorado authorities have opened a criminal investigation into whether an attack ad run by GOP Rep. Bob Beauprez against his opponent for governor illegally used confidential information from a federal law enforcement database.Democrat Bill Ritter’s campaign has suggested the information was taken from the computerized crime records.
But John Marshall, the congressman’s spokesman, said Tuesday that the details came from an informant he refused to identify. He said the campaign is cooperating with investigators….
The governor has asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to expedite its investigation. Use of the federal criminal database for any purpose other than law enforcement is a crime punishable by fines and up to a year in prison.