Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, facing allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, has tapped into a reliable source of funds to subsidize his legal tab: campaign donors’ contributions.

According to Gaetz’ newest campaign disclosure, filed Thursday, the congressman has spent $85,626 of donors’ dollars on legal consulting since last July, with the first payments coming just weeks after the initial indictment of his friend and associate, former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg. More Greenberg charges, related to sex trafficking, came in August.

Greenberg’s attorneys have indicated their client will plead guilty, and The New York Times reports he is cooperating with prosecutors.

Gaetz’ campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) do not specify what services were provided by DC law firm Venable, LLP, but the firm’s website touts its experience in congressional investigations and collected more than $64,000 from the Gaetz campaign in the second half of 2020.

“He and his advisers huddled to discuss how other Democratic leaders had responded to scandals in recent years… Mr. Franken, of Minnesota, resigned in early 2018 but later expressed regret over the decision.”

“Mr. Cuomo and his team also examined the case of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat who declined to resign in 2019 after yearbook pictures allegedly showed him in blackface.”

“The discussions set the stage for the weeks ahead: no matter what other lawmakers said or what else came at them, the governor wouldn’t resign. He would shore up support where it existed and show the public that he was still working.”