Paul Gosar

Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar say F You to the 9/11 First Responders.

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Most people would think that passing a bill to take care of the 9/11 First Responders who are suffering from permanent injuries and illnesses stemming from their heroism that fateful day would achieve unanimous approval in both the House and Senate. It is the only right thing to do for these brave souls. Even the … Read more

While this country celebrates its Independence, Arizona’s Republican House Members vote NOT to secure our national elections.

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It has been quite a reactionary couple of weeks for the four members of Arizona’s Republican House Delegation. In unison, Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, Debbie Lesko, and David Schweikert all thought the best way to protect our federal election system was to vote against measures designed to secure them. Hopefully, their constituents will have an … Read more

UPDATE: Gosar Committee Amends, Says Congressional Staff Did NOT Simply Receive Campaign Bonuses

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Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar responded immediately to the FEC’s letter seeking more information about his holiday bonuses for his Congressional staff. However, that response may raise further concerns about House Ethics rules violations and/or campaign finance reporting.

The campaign committee filed an amended report yesterday. It now says that most of his Congressional staff were actually paid out of the campaign committee’s checkbook for doing “administrative services.” (amended report published below)

This may raise further questions from authorities. The amended report now contradicts the committee’s second amended post-general report, as to the purpose of the holiday disbursements. Both reports now do indicate that the monies were first owed to the Congressional staff during the post-general election period – which actually includes a few weeks before election day (October 18- November 26); could the Congressional staff members actually have performed $44,000 worth of “administrative services” during that period in a not-very-intense general election campaign. (Gosar won with more than 68% of the CD4 vote.)

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UPDATE: The Ghost of Holiday Bonuses Past: FEC Follows-Up On Rep Gosar ‘s Questionable Staff Bonuses

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Two weeks ago, we reported that $44,000 of holiday bonuses that Rep. Paul Gosar paid to his Congressional staff could ruin his year. Today, the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) sent a letter to the Congressman’s committee, asking for more information on those – and, other – “incorrectly reported disbursements.”

The article noted that paying the bonuses to his Congressional staff from his campaign committee COULD be within the rules of both the House Ethics Committee and the FEC, but that there would need to be careful documentation of the campaign work done in order to justify the bonuses. Arizona’s Politics spoke with ethics experts who pointed out the possible legal and ethical issues for the Congressman.

(Read: Rep. Gosar Pays $44k To Congressional Staff For “Campaign Bonuses”; May Have Violated Ethics Rules and/or Campaign Finance Laws)

Although we would not yet know if the House Ethics Committee read the article, received a complaint, or is looking into any possible violations, we now know that the FEC has taken notice. A senior campaign finance analyst sent two letters on June 7 to the Gosar campaign seeking additional information.

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Where do Republicans find these People?

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Over the last year, scandals have engulfed two Republican State Legislators (Don Shooter and David Stringer) resulting in their being forced from office. Over the last several months, other Republican lawmakers, at the state and federal levels, have encountered controversy that merit placement in the Political Hall of Shame. First, there is Congressional District Four … Read more