Virginia allows lawmakers to use campaign donations for fancy hotels and dinners, and other personal uses. A study in 2016 showed lawmakers also used the funds for things like country club memberships, gas and phones. Remember too that corporations and individuals in Virginia are allowed to contribute as much money as they want to candidates. (Is it just me, or does this all sound like a perfect setup for bribery? No wonder Dominion seems to always get what it wants.)
Some members of the legislature want to change that and restrict the use of campaign funds, but that’s not about to happen. Last week 2 bills were presented in a House subcommittee by Republican Del. Mike Cherry (Colonial Heights) and Democrat Del. Marcus Simon (Fairfax) to limit the personal use of campaign funds. Both bills were defeated.
Read more about it here.
4 comments
When the money is used for personal expenses, does that make it taxable income? It should, I would think, but I don’t know that it does.
The Virginia General Assembly is where being elected to Office is better than winning the Virginia Lottery because the payments are limitless and only end when you fail to be
re-elected.
It is absolutely disgusting that our State elected representatives/legislators have designed our Government to be;
By The People
Of The Bought & Paid For
For The Financial Gain of The Representative
I often say;
The DCization of Virginia is alive because of or morally weak elected Representatives.
Representative infidelity fosters legislative prostitution.
They are nothing but the biggest thieves, crooks, and liars in Virginia. But, you can bet your ass they will claim to be Christians. Except a few Jew, Muslims, etc. Those crooked bastards have legalized corruption and bribery. Our government, judicial system, healthcare, religious denominations, are the most corrupt on this planet. Only US government deficit spending saves their sorry asses.
People need to understand exactly why the White House is painted the same color as a common toilet bowl. Because the same thing resides inside both.
So, there you have it.
It leads to legalized bribery and bad candidates whose motivation is to use political fundraising as their own personal piggy bank.