US News

Probe of Mitch bug

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is investigating the secret recording of a private meeting inside Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s campaign office, where aides plotted how to handle a potential challenge from singer Ashley Judd.

McConnell, the powerful Kentucky Republican lawmaker who is seeking re-election, asked the FBI to investigate after it was revealed that Curtis Morrison, a member of liberal group Kentucky Progress, secretly taped a meeting that was leaked to Mother Jones magazine.

McConnell made the most of the incident, accusing Democrats of “bugging” his staff and raising campaign money off the breach.

In recordings that were published, McConnell can be heard advising how to rough up opponents.

“I assume most of you have played the, the game Whac-A-Mole? This is the Whac-A-Mole period of the campaign . . . when anybody sticks their head up, do them out,” he said. An aide recommended going after Judd, who ultimately decided not to challenge McConnell, as “emotionally unbalanced.”