For those following the saga (Messenger and Mannies accounts) of the new alleged 527 group running an ad against state Treasurer Sarah Steelman, here’s the latest:

The Stegall Law Firm and the Law Offices of Steve Sanders announced Thursday that they have filed suit against the group, known as  Americans for a Better America.

The suit also names the group’s president, Kansas City lawyer Arthur Fillmore, Springfield communications firm chief John Thompson, among others.

The suit contends that the group violated Missouri’s campaign finance law, and is not truly independent.

Instead, the suit ”alleges that Americans for a Better America, Inc. is a front group for the campaign of Congressman Kenny Hulshof for Governor of Missouri,” the lawyers say in a release.

The release adds: “The suit alleges that Americans for a Better America, Inc. is a Missouri not-for-profit corporation formed on May 22, 2008 for the express purpose of influencing the action of voters for nomination to public office of Congressman Hulshof against the nomination of Sarah Steelman.

“Americans for a Better America, Inc., recently placed ad buys with multiple broadcast stations through John Thompson, who is believed to be in the employ of Kenny Hulshof for Governor, Inc.”

Such a purchase is really a contribution, the suit says, and Americans for a Better America, Inc. is actually a regular campaign committee (known as a “continuing committee”) that must comply with state law.

The suit alleges that Americans for a Better America failed to comply with the state law mandating that it file a statement of organization within 20 days of formation.

The lawyers also allege that the group “was established as part of a conspiracy to evade Missouri’s campaign finance contribution limits and to avoid disclosure of political donors as required by Missouri law.”

Fillmore has said the group doesn’t have to identify its donors because it’s a 527. However, the suit says that ”federal IRS filings…indicate that Americans for a Better America claimed to be a ‘qualified state or local political organization’ exempt from federal disclosure rules. Such organizations are required by law to report donor information….”