“An article in the Tuesday, May 1, 2012, Winston-Salem Journal entitled ‘Consultant, PAC Investigated,’ implied that my campaign committee, Bruce Peller For Congress, had contributed $620 to the now discredited Forsyth Leadership PAC. The $620 was disbursed from my account using a check stolen from my office. It was not a contribution at all.

At no time did I make any payment or contribution in any amount to the Forsyth Leadership PAC.

From the outset of my association with Chris Church I expressly refused to be a member of his ‘slate of endorsed candidates.’ Even when Church offered to ‘endorse me’ [sic] for free I refused. My name was used without permission. When I discovered my name had been included in his PAC I expressed my outrage directly to Church.

Christopher Church used my campaign and unauthorized use of funds from my campaign to further his own ambitions.

I value my name and my reputation for honesty and integrity. I am concerned about Church’s corruption and the damage it does to the entire political process. Accordingly, I have not ‘quietly tried to put this incident behind me,’ but rather am attempting to expose the corrosive influence of Church.

With two weeks to go before my first primary election, I chose to fire Chris Church as my campaign manager rather than to engage in corrupt activities contrary to my very nature. I am pleased to say that throughout this difficult time I have been able to demonstrate what one person can do when willing to stand up for what is right. I have successfully brought to light an attempt to undermine our freedom to choose our government representation without undue influence.

I remain committed to serving the citizens of the 5th District with total transparency, honesty and integrity.” – Dr. Bruce Peller