Claim: “Gingrich took $1.6 million dollars from Freddie Mac just before it helped cause the economic meltdown”
Ad(s): Smiling, Smiling (Plan), Desperate, Baggage
Sponsor(s): Restore Our Future
Air Dates: Dec. 9, 2011 – Feb. 29, 2012
Total Estimated Spending On This Claim: $2,612,610
Markets: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Rochester (MN), Sioux City, Augusta, Charleston (SC), Columbia (SC), Greenville (SC), Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Ft. Meyers, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Mobile, Charlotte, Panama City, Rochester (MN), Sioux City, Alpena, Detriot, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, Tucson, Yuma-El Centro, Flint, Lansing, Traverse City, Marquette
FactCheck.org’s Summary: “That $1.6 million figure – which is also repeated in many of the anti-Gingrich attack ads from Restore Our Future – refers to money paid to the former speaker’s consulting firm. As we have reported before, the firm had many employees and expenses.” Click here to read more
FlackCheck.org’s related video(s): Michigan TV stations can and should refuse misleading super PAC ads, An Updated Alert to Florida Broadcast Stations, Florida TV stations can and should refuse misleading super PAC ads