Someone's bought a Lou Ann Zelenik billboard. The campaign says it's an independent expenditure group, but I've got some questions:

Jay Heine, campaign manager for Lou Ann for Congress, said he was aware of one billboard having been purchased through the effort. He confirmed that Friends of Lou Ann Zelenik was independent of the campaign, but he said Lou Ann for Congress was working with the group.

Friends of Lou Ann Zelenik contributed $300 toward the cost of the one billboard and Lou Ann for Congress put in $895, Heine said. The Friends of Lou Ann Zelenik portion would be reported as an in-kind donation on Lou Ann for Congress’ next campaign disclosure.

Now, as silly as federal campaign law is and even with the wink-nod status of "independent expenditure groups" — they are by definition independent and are free to spend their money however they wish, but they can't do it in cooperation, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of the candidate — doesn't Heine seem to be admitting the group did all of those things?