Topeka ? The Kansas Democratic Party on Monday alleged that U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins violated ethics rules related to compensation of her campaign manager. Jenkins’ office said the allegation is baseless.

The dispute stems from compensation to Jenkins’ Campaign Manager Bill Roe, who also serves as Jenkins’ district director of her congressional office.

Democrats say Jenkins, a Republican from Topeka whose district includes Lawrence, hasn’t included Roe’s campaign work as an expenditure on campaign finance reports.

Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director Jason Perkey said either Jenkins used taxpayer money to pay Roe or she failed to properly report Roe’s salary and other related expenditures on her campaign finance reports.

“Whether she used our tax dollars to fund her campaign or failed to properly report her campaign expenses, both call into question her fitness for service,” Perkey said.

Perkey filed a request for an investigation with the Office of Congressional Ethics and a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission.

Thomas Brandt, a spokesman for Jenkins, said, “Based on the House Ethics rule, the allegation has no merit.”

He forwarded a portion of the ethics rules that govern House members that says, “Once House employees have completed their official duties, they are free to engage in campaign activities on their own time, as volunteers or for pay, as long as they do not do so in congressional offices or facilities, or otherwise use official resources.”

Jenkins is seeking a fourth term to represent the 2nd House District. She faces an Aug. 5 primary challenge from Joshua Joel Tucker of Pittsburg. The winner will run against Democrat Margie Wakefield, a Lawrence attorney.