The National Republican Congressional Committee was expected to file a complaint Monday with the Federal Election Commission, alleging that where there’s smoke, there must be fire, especially when it concerns North Carolina Democrat Larry Kissell’s campaign records.

“Kissell’s debt magically disappears then reappears with no rhyme or reason as to how debt was paid or created,” NRCC lawyers state.

Kissell, a top 2008 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recruit, is again mounting a challenge to Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.). Hayes defeated Kissell by just a few hundred votes last year.

According to the NRCC complaint, the DCCC will host a fundraiser Wednesday to help Kissell pay down $35,000 in credit card debt he racked up in the previous cycle — one of many totals that the NRCC claims are inconsistent on Kissell’s disclosure statements.

“Loans that had supposed been repaid suddenly reappear with outstanding balances, loans with outstanding balances disappear and loans that never before existed show up,” the complaint alleges.

— Matthew Murray