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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums'Substantial' evidence GOP lawmaker improperly spent funds, misused position tohelp brother
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) concluded in a report made public on Monday that there is "substantial" evidence that Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) misused campaign as well as official funds and used his office to help his brother in violation of House rules.
The OCE said that it found evidence indicating that Palazzo used campaign funds to maintain and improve a personal riverfront property in anticipation of a sale; asked his House office staffers to perform campaign work and personal errands; and used his position as a member of Congress to contact the assistant secretary of the Navy to help his brother reenlist.
According to the OCE report, Palazzo charged his campaign committee rent for ostensibly using a riverfront home that he owned as a headquarters, equal to the amount of his monthly mortgage, insurance and tax payments "during a time of personal financial stress."
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Steven Palazzo wearing a suit and tie: Ethics watchdog: 'Substantial' evidence GOP lawmaker improperly spent funds, misused position to help brother© Greg Nash Ethics watchdog: 'Substantial' evidence GOP lawmaker improperly spent funds, misused position to help brother
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) concluded in a report made public on Monday that there is "substantial" evidence that Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) misused campaign as well as official funds and used his office to help his brother in violation of House rules.
The OCE said that it found evidence indicating that Palazzo used campaign funds to maintain and improve a personal riverfront property in anticipation of a sale; asked his House office staffers to perform campaign work and personal errands; and used his position as a member of Congress to contact the assistant secretary of the Navy to help his brother reenlist.
According to the OCE report, Palazzo charged his campaign committee rent for ostensibly using a riverfront home that he owned as a headquarters, equal to the amount of his monthly mortgage, insurance and tax payments "during a time of personal financial stress."
OCE said that there was "limited evidence of campaign use of the property, especially to justify $60,000.00 in rent and thousands of dollars of additional charges to maintain the home and improve its marketability." The campaign paid the rent to an LLC for which Palazzo is the only member; Palazzo's counsel said in a statement to OCE that it was a "single owner, investment property management company."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ethics-watchdog-substantial-evidence-gop-lawmaker-improperly-spent-funds-misused-position-to-help-brother/ar-BB1e87m7?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=DELLDHP