House Ethics Committee reviewing two GOP lawmakers over campaign finance

The House Ethics Committee revealed Monday that it is reviewing allegations of campaign finance violations against two GOP lawmakers.

The committee announced that it is extending reviews of Reps. Ross Spano (R-Fla.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and would announce next steps, such as deciding to open formal investigations, by Nov. 14.

Spano is under scrutiny for accepting about $180,000 in loans from friends and using it for his congressional campaign as if it were his own money. Campaign finance law allows candidates to loan their campaigns any amount of personal funds, but loans from others are considered campaign contributions and are therefore subject to limits of $2,700 per cycle.

Spano has said he has since repaid the loans.

Huizenga, meanwhile, faced a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint from the Michigan Democratic Party alleging that he misused campaign funds for personal expenses.

The FEC later recommended a dismissal of the allegations after finding no "reasonable inference" that Huizenga's campaign used campaign funds for personal use, according to The Detroit News.

Huizenga has denied any wrongdoing.

"We have cooperated fully in this process and will continue to do so. This matter is the continuation of a partisan and politically motivated complaint filed by the Michigan Democratic Party prior to the 2018 election that has already been resolved by the Federal Election Commission," said Brian Patrick, a spokesman for Huizenga.




https://thehill.com/homenews/house/463722-house-ethics-committee-reviewing-two-gop-lawmakers-over-campaign-finance