Ben & Jerry’s ice cream co-founder, Jerry Greenfield, is the latest plaintiff to join a lawsuit over Vermont’s campaign finance laws.

He and his wife Elizabeth contacted Burlington lawyer, John Franco, over the weekend about the case, joining three other Vermont residents who claim the state laws violate their federal civil rights, according to the docket.

All of the plaintiffs are supporters of Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina who has encountered troubles with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office interpretations of campaign fundraising laws.

“I don’t think the ruling that they gave Anthony is correct,” Jerry Greenfield told PolitickerVT.com on Tuesday. "I feel like beyond it not being legal it’s just completely unfair. It’s a basic fairness issue as well.”

Franco will file and amendment to the original complaint which was filed on Aug. 27 with the Federal District Court in Burlington.

“Hopefully a judge will take a look at it very soon because it impacts the upcoming election,” Greenfield said.

Franco’s clients claim the current funding scheme gives an advantage to major-party candidates, he said.

Under current campaign finance law, independent candidates are limited to contributions of $1,000 per donor -- half as much as what candidates running under a party banner can raise during an election cycle. This became an issue when Pollina switched from the Progressive Party one month ago as part of a strategic campaign decision.

Jerry and Elizabeth Greenfield of Williston each donated the maximum amount to Pollina.

After reviewing financial reports, the Secretary of State’s Office notified Pollina earlier this month he must return approximately $28,000 in campaign contributions, which may be in violation of the law.

Two weeks ago, a complaint filed by two Vermont residents with the state attorney general about Pollina’s fundraising prompted them to send a letter to the campaign inquiring about the contributions.