FEC warns Gingrich for paying himself with campaign funds

[IDemo]

By David Edwards
Thursday, February 23, 2012 15:46 EST

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has sent a second letter to Newt Gingrich’s campaign asking them to explain why almost $1 million dollars was paid to a small group of people including the presidential candidate.

The Washington Times reported on Wednesday that Gingrich, members of his staff and several consultants received “questionable reimbursements.”

In January alone, a small group of people within the campaign were paid $220,000 on top of their salaries. That figure included the $88,000 Gingrich paid himself for unspecified “travel” expenses, according to reports filed with the FEC Monday.

The latest FEC filing comes as a shock because Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond had told he Times that the campaign would no longer need to reimburse the candidate after finally obtaining a credit card late last year.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/23/fec-warns-gingrich-for-paying-himself-with-campaign-funds/

[aquart]

1. Once a crook....

[Andy823]

8. You got that right

The only reason Newt is staying in this race is for the MONEY! He can find ways to funnel millions into his own pocket from donations, he will raise his speaking fees, write another book, whatever it takes to fill his greedy little pockets, he will do it! Kind of like Palin!

[montanacowboy]

2. Is that the Ethics Challenged Newt Gingrich?

I guess Callista needs more jewels from Tiffany's

Once a fucking crook, always a fucking crook

[LiberalFighter]

36. They need the money for her hair.

They need the Richie Rich type of income.

[appleannie1]

3. Looks like old dogs don't learn new tricks.

[UpInArms]

4. who said crime doesn't pay?

[tanyev]

5. Historian Consultation Fees

[rurallib]

21. !

[cstanleytech]

6. So is "anyone" surprised that Newts got ethics problems again.........at all?

[bayareaboy]

7. looking at my chrystal ball ...

I can see, if the RePUGs haven't become the WHIG party by 2013, then perhaps there will 50 or 100 folks running in 2016 for Pres in their gang. They are a gang you know.

And do you think that Ms Alaska took some ducats for endorsing Newt?

[Hotler]

9. The slim oozes from his pores. n/t

[beac]

10. If Newt's been paying himself for his work as a candidate...

he should ask for his money back!

But then again, in GOPland, you can be stone-cold terrible at your job and still draw a hefty salary and bonuses as long as you are already filthy rich, so I guess he qualifies by that measure.

[stopbush]

11. It's fundamentally outrageous that Newt let this happen.

Just wanted to pull a Newt and use the words "fundamentally" and "outrageous" in the same sentence, the way Newt overuses those words.

[MustBeTheBooz]

15. You forgot "frankly", frankly. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

37. Has anyone done beer drinking during a debate or event on those words??

The car keys would need to be relieved of all attendees to avoid severely drunken driving.

[marble falls]

12. Tiffiny thugs ......

will break his knee caps if he misses a payment. Daddy needs a pair of cufflinks!

[Ruby the Liberal]

13. Has the FEC ever tried faxing and copying from a Marriott?

Shit costs more than porn.

[McCamy Taylor]

14. WTF! John Edwards is on trial for doing this.

Is the Obama administration more interesting in wrecking the career of a potential Democratic rival than in actually enforcing campaign laws?

[elleng]

17. As sickly an agency as FEC is,

'The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has sent a second letter to Newt Gingrich’s campaign asking them to explain why almost $1 million dollars was paid to a small group of people including the presidential candidate.'

And FEC is not an agency of the Obama administration; its independent and sickly on its own.

[AndyTiedye]

28. What Can the FEC Do? Turn Him Into a Newt?

[JNelson6563]

22. lolz *pointing&laughing*

First off John Edwards as a "political rival"? lololololol!!!!

Is the ink dry yet on Newt's financial reports? How long had Edwards' reports been filed before he had legal issues?

lolz This has got to be the most laughable post of the week and, seeing as we're at DU, that's saying something!

Julie

[magical thyme]

40. I'm confused...

You're saying the administration runs things around here? I thought Timmeh already told Europe he runs the show...

[elleng]

16. would no longer need to reimburse the candidate after finally obtaining a credit card late last year

Right, just let the credit card company pay!!! Or Tiffany's!

[Historic NY]

18. Selling books is hard work.

[krshnbrn]

25. Selling books is hard work.

Not if it's to the other 10 or so non profits/charities you control.

[JohnnyRingo]

19. Severence pay

He knows the game is nearly up. It's about time to sweep up the loose change laying around and cash out.

[Ian David]

20. I don't have a problem with Gingrich stealing money from his donors.

This just means he has less to spend on commercials and brochures.

[Iliyah]

23. DUH, Newt 's sole purpose in staying

in the presidential race is MONEY. Y'think he cares about America? Nope, he fulfills the GOP motto, mo money honey = greed.

[Pab Sungenis]

24. Will everyone please lay off Newt

until after Super Tuesday? We need to keep the "conservative" vote split between him and Santorum until then to keep Frothy the Snowman from breaking away and getting enough votes to get the nomination on the first ballot.

Best scenario for a contested convention is Newt drops out or becomes completely irrelevant JUST AFTER Super Tuesday.

[Trajan]

34. No no no ... wrong ....

Santorum MUST win ..... yes ..... absolutely ..... Ricky MUST pull off more wins ....

Rmoney is slick enough to peel off some independent votes in the general election just because he LOOKS like a slick politician ... Ricky cant fake moderation .... He will find it extremely difficult to act or talk as a centrist ....

We want Ricky .... oh yeah ..... We want Ricky ....

[yellowcanine]

26. If I claim travel expenses I have to provide receipts. Planes, hotel, parking, etc.

I can get meal reimbursements of $8 for breakfast, $10 for lunch, and $22 for dinner without providing receipts. And I can get so much per mile for use of my own car but I have to subtract my round trip daily commute if the travel is on a regular work day. Those are IRS rules so it seems that the same rules should apply to presidential candidates and they should only get reimbursed for travel based on actual receipts and per diem meal charges. Otherwise the money paid should be treated as income and taxed accordingly.

[yellowcanine]

27. If he can't document the travel the $88,000 is income, according to the IRS.

You can't just say "it was travel" and get paid for it. The FEC should refer this to the IRS for collection of income taxes owed.

[NICO9000]

29. Why do I think he'll never have to pay this back?

It's OK if you're a Republican, after all!

[Major Hogwash]

30. This is why DU rox!! I hadn't heard about this anywhere else.

I think that if the FEC looks a little deeper they will find the same thing going on in the other Republican campaigns as well. I can't believe Ron Paul isn't keeping back a little for himself as the bucks roll in. As well as Santorum.

[kemah]

32. It has become a cottage industry to slam liberals and Obama.

A good way to milk the system, get Koch money, make money off stupid voters, sell books, get speaking engagements, get media shows, just to push an agenda that benefits the 1%.
I can not really believe that they actually believe the stuff they say. They know better but the greed is just to hard to say no to.
The Bush administration officials were caught laughing behind the backs of those dumb voters. And the elites are just laughing all the way to the bank.

[Auntie Bush]

33. That's why he won't drop out...making too much money.

[MADem]

35. Look who is riding out with the indictment on the tip of their spear, here!

First reported by THE WASHINGTON TIMES, eh?

Well, we know what side of the bread the REV MOON crew is buttering--and it ain't the Newtie side!

[Deep13]

38. Wait, so buying ones own weight in Tiffany's jewelry is not a legitimate campaign expense?

Shit, I hope I have that receipt around here someplace.

[Javaman]

41. What? mister ethics violation breaking the law?

I don't think anyone could have anticipated this!