Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL)

Under Investigation by: The DOJ, the House Ethics Committee, the OCE, and the FEC.

Under Investigation for: Rep. Buchanan is under scrutiny for allegedly directing his former business partner to reimburse employees who contributed to Rep. Buchanan’s congressional campaigns. According to the former business partner, Sam Kazran, and several other former employees of Rep. Buchanan’s car dealerships, partners and employees who made contributions to Rep. Buchanan’s congressional campaigns were reimbursed with corporate funds. Mr. Kazran claimed Rep. Buchanan personally instructed him to engage in the reimbursement scheme. In addition, the House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Buchanan for failing to disclose 17 positions he held at Florida organizations, as well as unearned income he reported on his federal tax returns but left off his personal financial disclosure forms.

Status: On April 16, 2010, the FEC notified Rep. Buchanan that the commission had reason to believe he violated campaign finance law. On February 1, 2011, however, the commission determined “to take no further action and close the file” on Rep. Buchanan. On October 18, 2011, the Bradenton Herald reported that the DOJ had opened an investigation into Rep. Buchanan. On June 23, 2011, the OCE began investigating Rep. Buchanan, and on October 28, 2011, the OCE referred its investigation to the House Ethics Committee finding “substantial reason to believe” Rep. Buchanan violated House rules and the Ethics in Government Act by leaving information off of his personal financial disclosure forms. On February 6, 2012, the House Ethics Committee announced a continuation of their preliminary review of Rep. Buchanan but did not opt for a formal investigation.