OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna filed a lawsuit Friday against the state Republican Party over alleged campaign finance violations.

The Republican AG filed the lawsuit in King County Superior Court after the state Public Disclosure Commission found that the state GOP misused funds to bankroll three mailers in support Republican gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi over Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire in the August primary.

The GOP allegedly used so-called exempt funds to pay for the mailers. State elections law requires that since exempt accounts are not subject to contribution limits they can only be used for such things as fundraising and get-out-the-vote campaigns.

In a statement, the Washington attorney general's office said they concurred with the Public Disclosure Commission that there is evidence of campaign finance disclosure violations.

The state Republican Party must respond and file an answer to the complaint within the next 20 days.

The attorney general's office said it is seeking civil penalties and costs of investigation and trial, including reasonable attorney's fees, injunctive relief and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.