State Democratic Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo is calling on the Federal Election Commission to investigate whether World Wrestling Entertainment's new PR campaign constitutes illegal coordination between the company and the U.S. Senate campaign of its former CEO, Linda McMahon.
UPDATE: WWE said political considerations played no role in its campaign. Instead, it was motivated by a desire to correct what the company considers "malicious and misleading attacks reported by some members of the media."
"World Wrestling Entertainment will not be bullied or intimidated by whining allegations intended to censor our freedom of speech," said Vince McMahon, chairman and CEO of WWE.
Vince McMahon's wife, Linda McMahon, "maintains a close personal, familial, and financial connection to the WWE, and is relying upon the resources of that company to advance her campaign in an apparently coordinated manner,'' DiNardo wrote in a letter to the FEC. "We therefore request that the FEC open an investigation into these WWE events occurring just prior to and during the upcoming election and impose any appropriate penalties.
"Improper coordination between Mrs. McMahon and the WWE is most visible in WWE's new corporate public relations campaign and 'rapid-response' news operation on behalf of McMahon's Senate campaign; WWE's first-ever "Fan Appreciation Day" in Hartford the Saturday before Election Day; and, the potential interference of an election night WWE event in Bridgeport with voting in one of the state's Democratic strongholds; and paid advertising now being broadcast promoting the WWE and featuring Mrs. McMahon.''
McMahon's campaign spokesman Ed Patru dismissed the complaint, calling it "utterly baseless."
"This campaign scrupulously complies with all FEC regulations and has not and does not coordinate with WWE concerning its various corporate activities,'' Patru said in a press release. "We look forward to the FEC promptly dismissing this specious complaint."
The company launched Stand Up for WWE, a social media marketing blitz, on Monday, Using Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, the effort provides a platform for employees, fans and stars of professional wrestling to speak out about the company and the good things it has done. The PR campaign's most visible spokesman has been Vince McMahon.
WWE has come under intense scrutiny since Linda McMahon launched her political career.
Blumenthal campaign manager Mindy Myers issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon: "Linda McMahon's $50 million campaign couldn't cover up her record of death clauses, cancelled steroid testing, and million-dollar lobbyists getting her out from under health and safety rules so she could put profits first. Now there's a new corporate PR campaign trying to do the same, and raising serious questions about whether it violates the law. The people of Connecticut deserve to know the answer to these questions."