/Rep Steven Palazzo investigation Is his campaign account a slush fund

Rep Steven Palazzo investigation Is his campaign account a slush fund

Palazzo spends thousands of dollars per year on meals from the most prestigious restaurants and clubs in Washington, D.C. and Mississippi to Hooters, Newk’s, Pizza and fast food chains, live music, and barbecue joints. Palazzo has spent over $115,600 per year on meals since his election in 2010. This is not counting the $188,000 spent on catering and booking venues for his campaigns. Comparatively, Rep. Michael Guest has spent less that $1,300 per year on meals, which is separate from large catered campaign events. Palazzo also spent thousands on hotels in D.C. and Mississippi, as well as entertainment, golfing, and entertainment at beachside Florida resorts. After a March complaint by Campaign Legal Center watchdogs, the Office of Congressional Ethics began investigating Palazzo’s campaign spending. The complaint was about whether Palazzo used campaign money to pay his wife and himself nearly $200,000 through their companies. Palazzo claimed that the campaign spokesman said that the allegations and questions regarding his campaign spending were “politically motivated” and that Palazzo was cooperating with OCE investigations and will be exonerated. Justin Brasell, Palazzo’s campaign spokesperson, said that it all began with Congressman Palazzo and his primary opponents in 2020’s Republican primary. “It is all politically motivated.” “… All this is permissible except for where we found some mistakes and we corrected it.” Brasell stated that the campaign purchased a $5,100 fold up wall bed or Murphy bed and almost $2,000 to continue accounting education for Palazzo who is a CPA. Palazzo’s campaign stated in writing that the bed was purchased for office furniture in D.C. Brasell stated that Palazzo had reimbursed the campaign for these expenses. Campaign also corrected what it claimed was a typo in Palazzo’s campaign reporting. A $119,771 payment initially listed to the HyattRegency hotel on Capitol Hill was for $1,197. This was spent on “hotel room for Congressman Palazzo’s family for campaign events in D.C.” According to Campaign Legal Center, Palazzo makes $174,000 a years as a congressman. Federal law prohibits Palazzo from using campaign money for personal use. Violations can result in felony criminal penalties. These complaints are investigated by the OCE who can either recommend that they be dismissed or handed to the House Ethics Committee for further review and discipline or refer them to U.S. Department of Justice to conduct criminal investigations. Brasell stated that Palazzo was not contacted by any other agencies or investigators than the OCE. Robert L. Deming III (a Biloxi city councilman) said that he noticed what he thought were “red flags” with Palazzo’s campaign account, and “unfathomable” spending. He claimed he hired an investigative team and election compliance specialists and handed his findings to the CLC and U.S. Attorney’s office. Deming stated that it was “absolutely” apparent Palazzo was using his campaign account to pay for personal expenses. Although he said that he didn’t try to make it a major issue in his campaign against Palazzo, he acknowledged that other opponents had done so but that he felt obliged to report it. Deming stated that he had done his civic duty. Deming said, “I just did my duty as a citizen.” According to the 2016 divorce settlement, Palazzo will “continue paying the wife rent” at $1,500 per month in Arlington, Va. condominiums where he lived while in D.C. Palazzo’s campaign payments to the accounting company are mostly for round numbers, Deming stated, and total almost the same amount that $1,500 per month rent would. Palazzo’s divorce records stated that he would be responsible to pay the Perkinston property and home rent. This raises questions about whether Palazzo’s payments to Greene Acres were campaign related or for the mortgage on the property and home. Brasell stated that Palazzo’s campaign expenditures have been all for campaign-related expenses. Brasell stated that Palazzo’s campaign expenditures on meals were all campaign-related expenses. Campaign records show that there were expenditures of $57.41 and $63.65, $89.78, and $394.63 for Hooters meals, out of more than 550 meals in the campaign account. The majority of campaign meals cost between a few dollars at fast-food restaurants and hundreds of dollars at fancy restaurants or steakhouses. One of the meals is available for more than $3655 at Capitol Hill Club. Other options include $533 at Beau Rivage Prime casino and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, which costs $461. Federal officeholders or campaign staff can expense meals that are “incidental” in their role as officeholders or candidates, such as fundraisers, strategy sessions, meetings, and other events. Others have been scrutinized for their meals and other spending. For example, Rep. Mike Turner, Ohio, who spent more $70,000 on meals since 2017, and Rep. Duncan Hunter, California, who pleaded guilty to misuse of campaign funds after he was accused of spending more $200,000 on family vacations abroad, large bar tabs, and more. Brasell stated that Palazzo’s campaign expenditures are all overboard and only on “political expense, fundraising, campaign expenses.” Palazzo must also run for office every two years. It is encouraging to see that an investigation is underway. It is encouraging that there is an investigation.