The House Ethics Committee recently announced that it will be examining a report from a congressional watchdog that alleges U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt misused thousands of dollars in campaign funds for personal purposes. According to the report, campaign committees for both Republican congressmen from Texas made payments to private social clubs, raising concerns about the misuse of funds. Jackson’s committee, Texans for Ronny Jackson, reportedly spent close to $12,000 on various expenses at the Amarillo Club, while Hunt’s campaign committee paid over $5,400 on dues and fees at the Oak Room.
The independent Office of Congressional Ethics conducted separate investigations into the campaign spending of Reps. Jackson and Hunt. In both cases, the office found “substantial reason to believe” that campaign funds were used for personal expenses or for purposes unrelated to bona fide campaign activities. The reports highlighted the payments made by the campaign committees to private social clubs over multiple years, suggesting a pattern of misuse of funds.
Response from Rep. Hunt’s Attorneys
The press release from the House Ethics Committee included a detailed response from Rep. Hunt’s attorneys, who vehemently denied any wrongdoing. According to the attorneys, all payments made by the Hunt for Congress campaign to the Post Oak Hotel were strictly for campaign-related purposes and not for personal use. They argued that the membership fees at the Oak Room were a more practical use of campaign funds than renting a campaign office in Houston, as Rep. Hunt does not have a dedicated campaign office.
The reports from the Office of Congressional Ethics noted that neither Rep. Jackson nor Rep. Hunt fully cooperated with the investigations. While Rep. Hunt initially provided some limited information, both congressmen were urged by the office to comply with the inquiries. The OCE recommended that the House Ethics Committee issue subpoenas to compel both congressmen to provide further information and cooperation.
If it is determined that campaign funds were indeed misused by either congressman, it could constitute a violation of House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law. This is not the first time Rep. Jackson has come under scrutiny for his campaign spending, as he was previously accused by the OCE of misusing funds at the Amarillo Club. The ongoing investigations by the House Ethics Committee will shed further light on the allegations and determine the appropriate course of action.
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