The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) filed an official complaint to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against Senator Raphael Warnock’s (D-GA) alleged misuse of campaign funds.
According to a report, the Georgia lawmaker took campaign money to cover the cost of a lawsuit that pertained to events that occurred before he became an elected official.
Federal election rules do not allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover personal expenses that would occur regardless of if the individual opted to seek office.
According to the NRSC complaint, Warnock’s actions meet that criteria:
“In sum, because the conduct that gave rise to the lawsuit occurred 15 years before Warnock ever sought or held federal office, the legal claims have nothing to do with Warnock’s now-status as a candidate or officeholder. These claims and the related expenses would, therefore, exist irrespective of Warnock’s election campaign or officeholder duties. And Warnock therefore may not use funds raised for his campaign — which donors contributed in good faith that their money would be used to help elect Warnock to office — to cover his personal costs for legal claims that ripened long before his candidacy,” a portion of the complaint read.
If the group finds that Warnock violated federal rules, the FEC could impose financial penalties on his campaign.
“Like a true Washington politician, Raphael Warnock is using the trappings of his office to fund his personal lifestyle. Senator Warnock clearly violated FEC rules and used his campaign account on personal expenses. The NRSC will continue to hold Senator Warnock accountable, not only for his flagrant abuse of his office, but also for his continued support of Joe Biden’s agenda that is crushing Georgia families with record-high gas and grocery prices,” said NRSC Chairman Rick Scott
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Raphael Warnock” by Georgia Senate. Background Photo “Georgia Capitol” by Andre m. CC BY-SA 3.0.
