Kern Republican Assembly will file charges against Ken Mettler-- Uh-oh!

Ken Mettler, a 32nd Assembly District candidate, has been accused of misappropriating funds by the local conservative political group he once led.

Members of the Republican Assembly of Kern County governing board say Mettler, without board approval, spent thousands of dollars of group funds to dig up dirt on political rivals, investigate a man he punched and kicked during a political rally, buy meals for friends and supporters and pay for a failed membership letter and website design.

Republican Assembly President Martin Bertram said the group cannot pursue bringing moral leadership to government if it fails to act ethically. It will ask its members to expel Mettler from the organization in May.

Bertram sent a letter to members Monday discussing the alleged violations. Group records reveal such troubling transactions as $1,300 for a website design later scrapped, $1,588 for a "Prop 8 fundraising letter" that raised no money and a $71.44 lunch at Café Med in 2008 with radio talk show host Inga Barks.

None of those expenditures was board-approved, Bertram said.

In addition, group and city of Bakersfield records show, Mettler reimbursed former group treasurer Paul Stine for $196.50 Stine spent to research Bakersfield City Councilman Zack Scrivner in early 2009.

Bertram said he will submit records to Bakersfield police. Bakersfield police Sgt. Mary DeGeare would only say police have received a complaint regarding embezzlement from the Republican Assembly of Kern County.