ACTION FILED VS. RADIO HOSTS OVER TALK ATTACKS.

Byline: Lisa Friedman Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - In a complaint to the Federal Elections Commission, the National Republican Campaign Committee accused radio station KFI-AM (640) co-hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou of ``criminal behavior'' for attacking Rep. David Dreier, R-Glendora, and endorsing his Democratic opponent, Cynthia Matthews.

By criticizing Dreier's positions on immigration, promoting a ``Fire Dreier'' campaign and making on-air appeals for voters to elect Matthews, the NRCC said, the hosts gave Matthews an unlawful corporate, in-kind contribution of more than $25,000.

``This behavior is illegal and must be appropriately punished,'' the NRCC charged, noting violation of the law carries a penalty of fines and jail time.

The complaint echoes objections the Democratic Party made earlier this month when Sinclair Broadcasting Group Inc. prepared to pre-empt regular programming before Election Day to show a documentary critical of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Campaign finance experts, however, said election law explicitly allows the media to make editorial comments - whether it's Rush Limbaugh endorsing President George W. Bush, Al Franken backing Sen. John Kerry, or John and Ken pushing for Matthews.

Meanwhile, Kobylt and Chiampou are having a field day with the threat.

``I think I'm going to jail,'' Kobylt said brightly in a telephone interview Friday.

Of the accusation, he said, ``If they really believe it, I think they're nuts.''

Kobylt said he believes the NRCC wanted to ``spook'' KFI's owner, Clear Channel Communications, into ``shutting us up'' before Election Day.

``Clear Channel is perceived as a Republican company,'' Kobylt said. ``They (the NRCC) might have thought between the corporate bias and the lawyer factor they'd get us to shut up.''

He went on to note that his show was equally active in promoting the recall of former California Gov. Gray Davis and the election of Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dreier co-chaired Schwarzenegger's campaign.

``Congressman Dreier was on our show often and never complained'' that the station was making an illegal campaign contribution, Kobylt said.

Dreier did not join the NRCC in filing the complaint, nor is he a direct party to it.

NRCC spokesman Bo Harmon refused to comment on the complaint. Dreier spokesman Jo Maney also did not respond to requests for comment.

Republican political consultant Allan Hoffenblum said he has little doubt Dreier will easily win a 13th term in office on Tuesday, despite the radio campaign against him.

``Why do they even bring attention to it?'' Hoffenblum wondered.

Lisa Friedman, [phone]

lisa.friedman(at)langnews.com