Neo Art
09-02-2009, 16:34
Michael S. Steele, the newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, arranged for his 2006 Senate campaign to pay a defunct company run by his sister for services that were never performed, his finance chairman from that campaign has told federal prosecutors.
. . .
Fabian's claims emerge as Steele begins his new role at the RNC, where he oversees the raising and spending of hundreds of millions of dollars in party money. The former Maryland lieutenant governor has faced questions about his handling of campaign money in prior elections and was twice fined for missing filing deadlines.
The recent allegations outlined four specific transactions. In addition to the payment to Steele's sister, Fabian said that the candidate used money from his state campaign improperly; that Steele paid $75,000 from the state campaign to a law firm for work that was never performed; and that he or an aide transferred more than $500,000 in campaign cash from one bank to another without authorization.
The bank transfer was made against the explicit wishes of other Maryland Republicans, who had hoped to use it to support the campaigns of state legislators, said aides to Steele and former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
Source (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/06/AR2009020604151_pf.html). Steele has of course denied any wrongdoing. (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/09/payments-to-sisters-company-were-legitimate-steele-says-2/) So what say you NSG? Improper campaign payments, or valud and legal distributions exaggerated by a felon looking for a break?
. . .
Fabian's claims emerge as Steele begins his new role at the RNC, where he oversees the raising and spending of hundreds of millions of dollars in party money. The former Maryland lieutenant governor has faced questions about his handling of campaign money in prior elections and was twice fined for missing filing deadlines.
The recent allegations outlined four specific transactions. In addition to the payment to Steele's sister, Fabian said that the candidate used money from his state campaign improperly; that Steele paid $75,000 from the state campaign to a law firm for work that was never performed; and that he or an aide transferred more than $500,000 in campaign cash from one bank to another without authorization.
The bank transfer was made against the explicit wishes of other Maryland Republicans, who had hoped to use it to support the campaigns of state legislators, said aides to Steele and former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
Source (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/06/AR2009020604151_pf.html). Steele has of course denied any wrongdoing. (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/09/payments-to-sisters-company-were-legitimate-steele-says-2/) So what say you NSG? Improper campaign payments, or valud and legal distributions exaggerated by a felon looking for a break?