Earlier this week, End Citizens United (ECU) filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics against Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-01) after his campaign accepted illegal contributions from his Chief of Staff.
See below for coverage:
NBC Montana: Ethics complaint filed against Zinke
Bowen West
10/02/24
Key sections:
- A complaint filed against Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke claims he violated rules of the House of Representatives.
- The Democrat-aligned political action committee End Citizens United filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics on Wednesday. They claim Zinke’s campaign committee accepted $7,860 in illegal campaign contributions from an employee in his U.S. House office.
- The complaint alleges that Zinke’s chief of staff paid out of pocket and was later reimbursed for expenses using money from Zinke’s congressional campaign.
- “Representative Zinke is a walking case study in corruption,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller in a statement to NBC Montana. “His blatant disregard for ethics rules and repeated violations throughout his career reveal a disturbing pattern of contempt for the law. This apparent scheme between him and his chief of staff is unambiguously illegal––and we urge the Office of Congressional Ethics to hold Representative Zinke accountable.”
- NBC Montana checked U.S. House Committee on Ethics rules on campaign activity and found federal law prohibits House employees from making campaign contributions to their employing member, and they should not make any outlays from personal funds for the benefit of the campaign, even if reimbursed.
- Between January and May 2023, the complaint documents six expenses including rent, television service and money spent at a congressional club, all paid by the chief of staff using her own funds.
- NBC Montana looked through Federal Election Commission and found all listed.
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