FEC Takes Note of Republican Rep. Boebert’s Misuse of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses

• Neville Gabby
• 0 comment
• September 26, 2021

New filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) reveal that Republican U.S Rep. Lauren Boebert used campaign funds in paying her utility and rent bills.

Although Boebert filed a subsequent report to the FEC last Tuesday showing the Congresswoman replaced the $6,650 worth of campaign spent for personal bills it does not change the fact a violation has been committed. Under federal campaign finance laws, disbursing campaign money for personal use is strictly prohibited.

The Republican congresswoman or her representatives have not given any comments regarding this particular issue, since the action taken to replace the misused campaign funds took place months after the FEC report was filed.

Details of Republican Representative Boebert’s Misuse of Campaign Funds

Rep. Boebert’s payments in question were four separate installments. Two of which are worth $2,000 each while the other two are worth $1,325 each. The payments were reviewed and it was noted that the were made on the same date and have similar descriptions. All were sent to a person named John Pacheco through his location at the Shooters Grill in Rifle, a business owned by Boebert. However the relationship between Boebert and Pacheco is yet to be clearly established to determine if Pacheco used the money to pay for the utility bills of Boebert’s Shooter Grill.

The most recent violation involves a Venmo transaction included in Beebert’s July campaign finance report in July to the Congressional committee. It was simply described as a personal expense of Boebert that was erroneously billed to her campaign account but has been reimbursed and duly returned.

As a matter of procedure, FEC officials have asked Boebert to clarify the matter. However only Jake Settle, Boebert’s spokesman gave a reply explaining that the payments were personal for Boebert’s personal expenses.

Through a letter, FEC Senior Campaign Finance Analyst Shannon Ringgold warned the Congresswoman that they may consider taking legal action if the campaign fund payments were for her personal use. Still, they might be able to give Boebert a chance to avoid legal action if prompt action is taken in acquiring reimbursement of the funds.

In line with the advice, the Congresswoman filed a supplemental report that the necessary reimbursements have been made last Tuesday. The formal report about the reimbursement of the personal expenses will be included the next reporting period due this October.