Chet Poulton claims a Cannon-backed company, C Four Communications, owes him $87,500 in back wages for computer work he performed.
Poulton first sued in state court and believed he had a settlement paying him and another disgruntled former employee $95,000, but the agreement fell apart in February.
Poulton has now hired attorney Danny Quintana to try the case in federal court.
Other named defendants include the Republican Party's National Committee and Cannon's campaign treasurer, Curt Bramble, who is also a state senator.
Quintana claims that Cannon and C Four not only failed to pay Poulton's wages, but violated federal election law by using campaign contributions to fund the consulting firm that was attempting to build an Internet network of conservative activists.
"As the evidence came out, the corruption came out," Quintana said.
Cannon attorney Kelly Nash on Friday denounced as "frivolous" the claims of racketeering and fraud.
"This matter is clearly politically motivated and is an example of improperly using the courts as a forum for an obvious political attack," said Nash. He expressed confidence the complaint - including the underlying claim of unpaid wages - would be dismissed.
The lawsuit calls for a "Federal Receiver" appointed by the court to investigate all congressional campaigns for possible election-law violations.
"Congressmen of all political parties are no longer accountable to the public for their activities," the suit states.
Quintana wants a jury trial and said he is preparing to litigate the case for as long as 10 years.
On top of the back wages, Quintana requested $1 million in punitive damages from Cannon, C Four, the Republican Party and Bramble, among others.
Other former C Four employees have sued Cannon. Mark Stoddard settled a $40,000 lawsuit against the company over unpaid wages in 2002. Chuck Muth, a political consultant, also complained that he was not paid, which Cannon denied.
David Scholes joined his lawsuit with Poulton's in state court, but is not named in the federal suit.
mcanham@sltrib.com
