U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz hit with another ethics complaint over his podcast deal

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is facing yet another formal ethics complaint over a controversial podcast-distribution deal that's so far pumped $787,000 into a political action committee backing his reelection. Michael Tijerina, a Collin County Democratic Party precinct chair, last week filed a complaint with the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics alleging the deal between Cruz and San Antonio-based radio company iHeart Media violates federal law, the Austin-American Statesman reports. The filing reportedly accuses Cruz of using the deal to distribute his thrice-weekly Verdict With Ted Cruz podcast to skirt earned income limits for senators, federal financial disclosure requirements and a ban on collecting speaking fees.