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Foley Campaign Money Could Become His Legal Defense Fund
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ShareOctober 24, 2006 1:12 PM
Disgraced former Congressman Mark Foley has almost $2 million in campaign funds to play with, and he can use the money to defend himself if it comes to that. The money can cover the cost of travel or any other expenses having to do with being a congressman, according to the Federal Election Commission.
Foley's campaign committee currently has $1,865,386 of "cash on hand," according to the latest FEC report.
Foley can use the money to cover the costs of "winding down his office, make unlimited transfers to national, state and local party committees and contribute to other candidates," said Michelle Ryan, a spokeswoman for the FEC.
THE BLOTTER RECOMMENDS
Another former congressman, Randall "Duke" Cunningham, who is now in prison for taking bribes, used his campaign funds for legal fees incurred during the federal investigation against him.
The FEC takes requests to use campaign funds for legal fees on a case-by-case basis. There is no information that Foley's campaign committee has made such a request.
The "Friends of Mark Foley" Committee did not return calls for comment.
The loophole through which congressmen could transfer campaign finance funds to their own bank accounts was closed in 1993, before which such transfers were widespread, according to Gary Ruskin, Director of the Congressional Accountability Project, a nonprofit group which monitors congressional spending and ethics.
Read the Blotter's Full Coverage of the Foley Internet Scandal.
October 24, 2006 in Mark Foley Internet Scandal | Permalink | User Comments (6)
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The fact that former Congressman Mark Foley can use campaign funds for legal defense is a complete joke and a slap to the face to the people who put him in office. Congress and or the FEC should impose a “morals” clause preventing him or future congress criminals from using campaign fund for legal defense. I'm sure that money was not raised so we could put a criminal or child stalker in office.
Posted by: Frank | Oct 24, 2006 2:16:26 PM
Lets face it. Our federal government is for most people the most corrupt and dangerous entity in their lives. Who else allows our water to be polluted? Who else enables drug companies to extort the American people. Who else enables corporate CEOs to steal billions from its stock holders? Who else kills our children in illegal immoral wars with people who meant us no direct harm?
Posted by: geneonlbk | Oct 25, 2006 8:35:21 AM
This is another abberation of the law.Any elected official who has been charged or resigned because of illegal activities should be required to return all campaign money or place it into a charity.They should not be allowed to keep their pensions either.
Posted by: Dennis | Oct 25, 2006 10:41:17 AM
Frank, I'm not a Foley apologist, but if you did that you could get rid of candidates who aren't personally rich simply by threatening them with a lawsuit. I think Dennis is on to something, but with Foley in particualr what's sticky is that it's not clear he broke the law.
Posted by: seth | Oct 25, 2006 12:14:41 PM
Innocent until proven guilty.
(Personally, I think he probably
is guilty, but the idea that we
should take away the resources he might use to defend himself just because he has been accuseed
is just wrong.)
Posted by: BillB | Oct 25, 2006 12:19:22 PM
Sorry BillB,
I don't agree with you and I think you are missing the point. His Campaign Fund is just that a fund for his "Campaign". To serve in office representing the good people of his state. I doubt people making contributions to get him elected would like or even have contributed knowing their hard earned dollars would be used for legal defense. People did not contribute to the Foley Defense Fund. What he does in his personal life should have no bearing on that fund other than it be used to serve in office. If this is the case why not let him use it to buy another lavish home or throw a lavish part with it. It's still his money right? I agree - Innocent till proven guilty but defend yourself on your own dime not mine. He was elected to represent not break the law. Ask yourself this - next time you contribute to a campaign fund - will you still contribute knowing they can do whatever they want with it. I know there are laws that limit but according your logic - I can run - you will contribute and I'll just keep the money for myself. Sounds convenient. Let all run and pocket the $$. I highly doubt that if I got in legal trouble the company I work for will let me use company funds for my legal defense.
Posted by: Frank | Oct 25, 2006 5:35:44 PM
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