Senator Larry Craig uses campaign funds for legal fees

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: The Politico

Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) has used $23,000 in campaign funds to pay the top Washington ethics lawyer, Stan Brand, who is fighting his case before the Senate ethics committee, according to Craig’s latest filing with the Federal Election Commission.

No additional legal expenses appear in the report, but they eventually will. Craig, according to his office, has decided to use his campaign committee for attorney fees related to his criminal defense in Minnesota as well. “A better read (of the latest report) is that Stan Brand bills more quickly,” Craig’s spokesman, Dan Whiting, wrote in an email. The report covers spending from July 1 to Sept. 30 and showed Craig with $475,000 left in the bank.

Tapping campaign funds for what some might argue is a personal legal expense could raise eyebrows at the FEC, which prohibits personal use of campaign funds, but determines on a case-by-case basis whether such funds are being used properly.

Craig must argue that his legal fight in Minnesota – he is seeking the withdrawal of his guilty plea on disorderly conduct charges stemming from a men’s restroom sex sting – is related his office. Jan Baran, an election law expert and former general counsel of the Republican National Committee, said the argument would be unusual, but it can be made....

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/1007/Larry_Craig_uses_campaign_funds_for_legal_fees.html

[RoccoR5955]

1. Not that it matters...

But it this legal?

Oh, you forgot the big news flash...
Senator Larry Craig, is STILL NOT gay!

[aquart]

6. Pity. If ever a man looked like he'd be happy in The Pines...

What a sad life.

[...of J.Temperance]

7. I'm not sure if it is legal

I'm sure that campaign funds can't be used for this sort of thing.

[Highway61]

2. Look at this post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x316554

after reading this....Where is the outrage on the disparity???? My God, there has to be a special hell for people like this

[Buns_of_Fire]

3. Interesting they would use the term "tapping"... (n/t)

[truthisfreedom]

4. He's certainly taking a wide stance on tapping these funds.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. LOL!

[WhiteTara]

8. That's Illegal! They are soooo blatant

letters to the FEC are in order I believe.
:grr: