Spence sues Nixon for defamation over bank ad

Republican challenger Dave Spence has filed a defamation lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon over a campaign ad.

The lawsuit filed Friday in Cole County claims Nixon maliciously or recklessly broadcast false statements about Spence's role with a bank. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

Nixon's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nixon has been running ads that describe Spence as a banker and claim Spence used part of a $40 million federal bank bailout to buy a vacation home.

Spence once served on the board of Reliance Bancshares, which received bailout money, and he did receive a home loan from the bank. But Spence says there was no connection to the federal money, he received no special treatment and he is not a banker.