A home-builders association has filed complaints against five lawmakers, accusing them of violating campaign reporting laws.

Two of the legislators call the complaints nothing more than political payback.

The Colorado Association of Home Builders filed the complaints with the secretary of state to make sure that campaign finance law is applied equally, said Scott Gessler, attorney for the home builders.

The group's political action committee recently was fined $1,000 for failing to file an electioneering report disclosing the candidates it targeted in ads in the November 2006 election.

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander," Gessler said.

Served with subpoenas were Reps. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora; Alice Borodkin, D-Denver; Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora; Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley; and John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins; as well as state Treasurer Cary Kennedy, a Democrat.

"We figure the law should be applied equally, and the subpoenas are to get the evidence we need to show similar violations by others," said Gessler.

Borodkin and Stafford said the complaints were triggered by their successful bill in the 2007 legislative session that enables homeowners to sue builders for shoddy construction.

"It's game-playing time," said an angry Borodkin. "I don't have time for this. They're taxing the system with this frivolous kind of crap."

Stafford echoed that sentiment.

"I'm the only Republican they filed a complaint against," she said. "It's unfortunate that they want to punish someone with a different viewpoint on an issue."

A June 14 hearing on the matter was postponed. Attorneys for both sides are trying to reach an out-of-court agreement, said Gessler.

The complaint against the home builders was filed by Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government.

Chantell Taylor, director of CCEG, said Gessler is seeking revenge.

"His lawsuit is a completely partisan and mean-spirited attack," Taylor said. "For us, the complaint wasn't a partisan issue. . . . It's about campaign disclosure."

Gessler accused those critical of him of using the dispute to divert attention from the legal issues.

"Without the support of the case that Chantell Taylor's excellent ethics adventure brought, we wouldn't have brought the case to make sure reporting laws are being equally and fairly applied," Gessler said.