DNC calls on FEC to investigate McCain

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- The Democratic Party says it wants the U.S. Federal Election Commission to investigate John McCain's withdrawal from the public campaign financing program.

The Democratic National Committee filed a complaint in February, arguing the presumptive Republican nominee could not withdraw from the program without formally asking the FEC permission to do so, The Hill reported Wednesday.

The commission is to consider the complaint at its meeting Thursday. FEC staff has said the Arizona senator was within his rights to withdraw from the matching funds program.

"The American people have a right to know whether the John McCain who once championed himself as a reformer saved his campaign by breaking the laws he helped craft," said DNC General Counsel Joe Sandler.

Democrats allege McCain secured a loan that helped save his campaign by offering federal matching funds as collateral.

McCain withdrew from the matching funds program after his primary victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Brian Rogers, a spokesman for the McCain campaign, called the complaint against McCain "frivolous."