Elliott

Craig Funnels Campaign Funds To Legal Battle
by The Associated Press

Posted: October 24, 2007 - 9:00 am ET

(Washington) Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has spent nearly $23,000 in campaign funds to pay a Washington lawyer who represents him before the Senate ethics committee, a new campaign finance report shows.

The report does not show any campaign money used for legal expenses related to Craig's criminal case, but a spokesman said that is merely a question of timing. Ethics lawyer Stanley Brand "bills more quickly" than Billy Martin, Craig's lawyer in the criminal case, said Dan Whiting, a spokesman for Craig.

Campaign finance laws prohibit lawmakers from using campaign funds for expenses unrelated to their duties as an officeholder or candidate.

Craig, who has announced he is not seeking re-election to a fourth term, had about $475,000 cash on hand as Sept. 30, a report filed last week with the Senate shows.

Craig intends to use campaign money to pay a variety of expenses related to his guilty plea stemming from a police sting at an airport men's room, Whiting said. The three-term Republican pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in August after he was accused of soliciting sex in a bathroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in June.

While Craig's actions may be legal, "it certainly raises questions about his defense that this is somehow not related to his official duties," said Meredith McGehee, policy director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center.

"It's kind of interesting that he would use his campaign funds but at the same argue he shouldn't be punished (by the Senate) because this has nothing to do with his officials acts," she said.

Bob Biersack, a spokesman for the Federal Election Commission, declined to comment on Craig's case. But he said that, in general, campaign funds cannot be used "for expenses irrespective of your role as an officeholder or candidate."

Lawmakers have wide discretion in how they define official duties, Biersack and others said.

Whiting said Craig's actions were within the scope of "well-established case law" on campaign finance.

"There's no need for a special ruling" from the election commission or the Senate ethics panel, Whiting said. He added that Craig has no plans to create a special legal defense fund to help pay for legal bills that are expected to top $100,000.

After his arrest and guilty plea became public, Craig tried to withdraw his plea. But a judge in Minnesota refused, saying Craig's plea "was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and ... supported by the evidence." Craig appealed the ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals last week.

©365Gay.com 2007

bigbrowndog

I bet the red stater, die-hard Repubs in ID,
just love that he is is using their donations for this

djack

Well they know what his stance is. Wide.

bigbrowndog

Sen. Craig tells the Ethics Committee that his arrest has
nothing to do with his job as a senator. His Lawyer says
Craig's defense is all about his public role.


explanation:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/politi...ry/193954.html

he's a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a conundrum....

or probably just a pig in a blanket with lipstick on.

dadakarma

LOL, BBD!!!

..So, a Republican misappropriated campaign funds? Knock me over with a feather, I'm just fucking SHOCKED.

Elliott

hahaahh aka
BFD