he long-running internal fight among Alabama Democrats seems destined to head back to court – this time over allegations of fraud related to fundraising.
Last week, ADP chairman Randy Kelley, in a letter to members, warned that certain individuals, “particularly (former U.S. Sen.) Doug Jones,” were “soliciting money on behalf of the state party nationwide and statewide.” That money, Kelley claimed, was going to support those individuals’ “own political agendas,” and would not help the state party.
On Monday, Jones’s attorney, Barry Ragsdale, sent a letter to Kelley both denying the allegations levied against Jones and demanding that Kelley issue a retraction or face a libel lawsuit.
“The statements in your March 11, letter are false and you knew they were false when you wrote and published them,” the letter to Kelley reads. “Senator Jones is not soliciting money on behalf of the Alabama Democratic Party, nor would he consider asking potential donors to do so given the current leadership.”
In an interview prior to Ragsdale’s letter being sent, Jones said the entire ordeal could have been avoided had Kelley or an attorney representing ADP reached out to him about the email solicitations.
“One phone call would have cleared this up – I could have shown them the emails and explained it and it would be clear to anyone who looked at them what it said,” Jones said. “Instead, he chose to do this publicly and make very, very serious allegations for absolutely no reason.”
Asked if he felt this was another in a long line of distracting internal fights that would simply distract from more pressing party business, Kelley said, “It’s not distracting to me. I think it’s important. I’m happy with it.”
