Forcht

In addition to donating personally to Republican Rand Paul's upstart campaign, Forcht is the banker handling funds for American Crossroads.

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"We were basically looking for a bank that would provide us with a good level of community service, and Forcht Bank fit that bill," Collegio said.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

But American Crossroads, a conservative group headquartered blocks from the White House, made an unusual choice: Forcht Bank, a small regional institution based in Lexington, Ky.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

The bank is part of a regional conglomerate, the Forcht Group, owned by Terry Forcht of Corbin, Ky., which also has publishing, broadcast, construction and real estate companies.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

None of the Crossroads filings submitted to the FEC indicate any payments to Forcht Bank for fees, which are generally required to be reported if they exceed $200, according to campaign finance experts.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

None of the Crossroads filings submitted to the FEC indicate any payments to Forcht Bank for fees, which are generally required to be reported if they exceed $200, according to campaign finance experts.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

The Forcht Group also provides $50,000 a year for a "center for excellence" at the University of the Cumberlands.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

Conway spokesman John Collins declined to comment because of the state investigation, which centers on allegations of sexual abuse at one of the Forcht Group's nursing home facilities.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

Crossroads spokesman Jonathan Collegio said Forcht Bank was chosen by the group's chairman, Mike Duncan, a Kentucky native with a banking background who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010

Forcht Bank officials did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Price tag of midterm campaign likely to hit $4 billion Dan Eggen 2010