Tlaib in Hot Water Over Questionable Payouts

House Ethics Committee investigations into several lawmakers include a review of Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib and some questionable payments made to herself from campaign funds.

What Happened and Was It Legal?

The allegations against Tlaib are that she used campaign funds for personal reasons, so far it has been recognized as a “substantial reason” to investigate.

Two payments in particular are the ones being investigated and questioned – one for $2,000 and the other for $15,500, on Nov. 16th and Dec. 1st last year, respectively.

“Documents provided … by Rep. Tlaib suggest that Rep. Tlaib did not have the financial means to campaign full-time without being compensated by her campaign committee. Documents, however, also suggest that Rep. Tlaib failed to comply with the specific requirements set forth in (in the law),” a report from the board said, finding enough reason to question the payments.

Tlaib’s lawyers hit back, arguing that everything happened completely in order and there was nothing questionable about it:

“In its findings, OCE admits the salary payments fell within the (federal) limit, acknowledges that the timing of the final two payments did not in itself violate (Federal Election Commission) rules and disregards evidence of Rep. Tlaib’s good faith compliance,” also adding it was “unprecedented” to review actions that happened before Tlaib was sworn in as a member of Congress.

Tlaib herself wrote a lengthy statement to CNN, and commented on the situation, only hoping for a fast outcome, beneficial to herself, saying she paid herself with campaign funds “after leaving my job and struggling to keep up with financial burdens without a steady source of income.”

“I was paid less than I was entitled to receive under FEC regulations. … I have cooperated fully and forthrightly, providing hundreds of pages of documents, emails, and text messages to the Office of Congressional Ethics and the Ethics Committee, and making my staff available to the Committee for interviews,” part of her statement said.