U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, lost in a primary this year, despite being endorsed by both Obama and Bill Clinton. However, the House Committee on Ethics is not through with him, opting to extend an on going investigation until November 28th.
In March, a report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) indicated Reyes used campaign cash to “pay, reimburse and donate more than $600,000 to himself and family members, the most of any representative in Congress.” Reyes family supported his side at the time, little wonder, as he presumably used campaign dollars to support both himself and them to some extent, all within existing rules.
CREW insists the practice undermines public trust.
Additionally, the El Paso Times had previously reported that in 2010 and 2011 Reyes spent $469.71 in campaign dollars in the House dining room, in violation of House rules. Reyes campaign claimed it was the result of a reporting error and the dinners were with constituents.
Unfortunately, withe fox guarding the hen house in this case and Reyes having lost his primary, there’s a reasonable chance that House members will eventually sweep this one under the rug, end the probe on November 28 with no action, allowing Reyes to stroll off into the sunset quite possibly having misused campaign donations.
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