Visclosky May Tap into Campaign Cash for Probe

The FEC is poised to allow Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., to use campaign funds to pay for legal expenses related to an ongoing FBI investigation of the dissolved lobbying firm PMA Group. The use of campaign money is permissible, according to a draft opinion by the FEC, because “the allegations relate to Representative Visclosky’s campaign and duties as a federal officeholder, and the legal fees and expenses would not exist irrespective of Representative Visclosky’s campaign or duties as a federal officeholder.” Visclosky’s campaign and congressional offices, as well as some members of his staff, have been subpoenaed by federal investigators hoping to learn more about allegations that PMA improperly used campaign contributions to win billions in appropriations for defense firms. The FEC is soliciting public comment on the opinion over the weekend and expects to vote on the matter Monday.

Read more: (“FEC: Visclosky May Tap into Campaign Cash for Probe,” CongressDaily PM, 6/12/09)