Trump Chief Meadows May Have Spent Campaign Funds On Personal Expenses, Watchdog Alleges

Topline

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows may have committed campaign finance violations by continuing to use campaign funds—potentially on personal expenses— after announcing he was not running for reelection as a U.S. representative, the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington alleges in a new complaint.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“Campaign funds may be used to support one’s candidacy or duties as an officeholder, but after a person is no longer a candidate or congressional officeholder, campaign expenditures can look much more questionable,” Brendan Fischer, director of regulatory oversight at the Campaign Legal Center, told Salon, which first reported the news of Meadows’ potential campaign finance violations.

Tangent

In addition to his alleged use of funds on personal expenses, Salon reports that records show Meadows may have also improperly spent funds—including from his taxpayer-funded Members’ Representational Allowance for congressional lawmakers—on campaign events for Lynda Bennett, a candidate for Meadows’ former House seat and friend of Meadows’ wife.

Key Background

The allegations against Meadows come after his former colleague, former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), was indicted and is now serving an 11-month prison sentence for similar charges. Hunter and his wife spent more than $250,000 on a series of personal expenses, including travel, Disneyland souvenirs, dental visits and $625 on airline tickets for the family’s pet rabbit.

What To Watch For

CREW is calling on the Federal Election Commission to investigate Meadows, and should they find that he misused his campaign funds, he could face potential legal consequences as Hunter did. “Converting funds raised from Americans for a campaign into personal use is a violation of trust,” CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement. “If further investigation confirms that, there should be consequences.”

Further Reading

CREW files complaint against Mark Meadows over campaign spending (CREW)

Mark Meadows’ FEC filings raise questions of unlawful spending, campaign coordination (Salon)

Mark Meadows apparently used taxpayer funds to help wife’s friend raise campaign cash (Salon)