Republican under investigation for diverting campaign funds

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Christine O'Donnell, ex-Senate candidate, subject of federal campaign funds probe

By Jerry Markon and Sandhya Somashekhar
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, December 30, 2010; 8:29 AM

The Justice Department is investigating whether former U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell violated federal law by diverting campaign funds for personal use, law enforcement sources said Wednesday.

The probe of the Delaware Republican arose in response to a complaint from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. The watchdog group alleged in September that O'Donnell had used campaign funds for rent, meals and other personal expenses.

O'Donnell stunned the political world that month by riding a wave of tea party support to defeat veteran Rep. Michael N. Castle in the Republican primary. But her campaign was dogged by questions about her personal and campaign finances, and a trail of controversial statements arose, including her 1999 acknowledgment that she had "dabbled" in witchcraft. She lost the general election to Democrat Chris Coons.

The federal inquiry by the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware and the FBI was first reported by the Associated Press. But law enforcement sources said it is very preliminary and has not progressed to a full-fledged criminal investigation, as the AP reported. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/29/AR2010122904235.html?hpid=topnews

[kestrel91316]

1. When FauxSnooz reports this they will call her a Dem. Just watch.

[napi21]

2. I'm ure I heard her say she paid her rentt/mtg from her campaign funds

because she was using her residence as her only campaign hdq's. Now the FEC decides they should investigate? I know were here on DU talked about the legality of using campaign funds for personal purposes back when she was running.