The Congressional Ethics Committee has concluded investigations into multiple representatives accused of misusing campaign funds, stating that while there were violations, they were not intentional. The committee acknowledged that existing guidance on campaign spending was often ambiguous and lacked clarity, and therefore, new guidance on the personal use of campaign funds and recordkeeping requirements will be released.
The committee’s statement highlighted that several members of Congress did not fully comply with the standards relating to the personal use of campaign funds or the required reporting and recordkeeping for expenditures. However, it was concluded that the violations were not intentional in any of the cases.
The investigations centered around four representatives, with a few others unnamed. Among the most notable cases:
Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
Rep. Sanford Bishop’s campaign had been under investigation for years. A 2020 report found substantial reason to believe that Bishop violated federal law by spending over $90,000 on personal expenses, including fuel, golf, meals, travel, and entertainment. His campaign had also paid over $368,000 to a country club in Georgia, including for membership fees and fundraising events. Bishop defended the expenses by claiming the membership allowed him to network with individuals he would not typically encounter.
Wesley Hunt (R-TX)
Rep. Wesley Hunt faced scrutiny for spending more than $74,000 between 2022 and 2024 at the Post Oak Hotel in Houston, including for membership fees at the Oak Room Club. Hunt’s legal team justified the spending, arguing it was used for campaign-related activities such as meetings with donors and consultants.
Ronny Jackson (R-TX)
Rep. Ronny Jackson was investigated after spending nearly $12,000 on a membership at the Amarillo Club in Texas since 2020. Jackson dismissed the allegations as baseless and insisted that no funds were used for personal purposes, claiming he fully complied with the ethics committee’s requirements.
Alexander Mooney (R-WV)
Outgoing Rep. Alexander Mooney was accused of taking a vacation to Aruba, paid for by HSP Direct, amounting to $10,800. The OCE report suggested that Mooney impeded the investigation by providing false testimony and withholding evidence. Mooney denied any improper conduct, stating there was no connection between the trip and any official actions.
Despite these controversies, the Ethics Committee’s decision to close the investigations has prompted mixed reactions, with some defending the lawmakers and others criticizing their handling of campaign funds.