Press

PRESS

August 21, 2008

CREW Applauds FEC Decision on Limiting Use of Senator Vitter’s Campaign Funds for Legal Fees

FEC Complaints, Senate Ethics, Federal Agencies, Federal Election Commission (FEC), States, Louisiana, Press Releases, Senate Members, David Vitter

Washington, D.C. - CREW applauds the FEC’s decision today to reject Sen. David Vitter’s (R-LA) request to use campaign funds to pay for legal fees he incurred in quashing a subpoena to testify in the trial of the so-called D.C. Madam, Deborah Jean Palfrey. Although campaign finance law prohibits members of Congress from converting campaign funds to “personal use,” the FEC created an exception permitting the use of campaign funds for legal expenses related to allegations arising from campaign or officeholder activity. In recent years, this exception has threatened to swallow the rule.

CREW’s executive director Melanie Sloan said, “Today’s decision indicates the FEC has finally recognized that at least in some cases, members of Congress should not be allowed to use campaign funds to bail them out of legal problems of their own making. This breaks with the FEC’s pattern of granting members permission to pay lawyers with campaign funds nearly every time the issue has been raised. It remains to be seen whether this is a one-time decision or whether the FEC really is breaking with its past precedents.”

Click Here to read CREW ethics complaint against Senator Vitter

Click Here to read to read the Senate Ethics Committee's response to allegations against Senator Vitter

Click Here to read CREW's request for investigation of Senator Vitter

Click Here to read CREW's exhibits of evidence regarding Senator Vittner

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact Garrett Russo at 202.408.5565 or grusso@citizensforethics.org