House Democrat Wants to Use Campaign Funds to Pay Legal Bills
It’s not exactly what political campaign contributors have in mind when they write checks to lawmakers, but Rep. Pete Visclosky — one of three House Democrats linked most closely to the PMA Group, a former lobbying firm currently under federal investigation — is asking the Federal Election Commission for permission to use his campaign war chest to pay the legal costs associated with that inquisition, The Hill reported Monday.
“„“I ask the commission to confirm that the committee may pay legal fees and expenses incurred by Congressman Visclosky in connection with the federal investigation relating to the PMA Group,” said the letter from [Visclosky for Congress Treasurer] Michael C. Malczewski.
“„The letter does not cite independent knowledge of the investigation, but cites numerous media accounts that “insinuate that certain aspects of the investigation appear to relate to Congressman Visclosky’s duties as a candidate for federal office and and as a federal officeholder.”
The request comes less than a week after Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) asked the FEC to allow his campaign pay his family for using a yacht owned by his family.
Trickle up economics.
