HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ A Connecticut newspaper claims wrestling company WWE Inc. violated federal election laws by illegally helping former chief executive Linda McMahon’s U.S. Senate campaign when it threatened a lawsuit against the newspaper two weeks ago.

The Journal Inquirer of Manchester filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission last week, saying Stamford-based WWE rendered illegal corporate assistance to McMahon’s campaign.

The newspaper reports WWE accused the paper of libel and threatened legal action for two opinion columns written this year by Managing Editor Chris Powell. Powell asserted McMahon created her fortune from the business of pornography and violence, but didn’t specifically mention WWE.

WWE said in statement there’s no basis for the FEC complaint and the company is defending itself from the false allegation that it’s in the pornography business.

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