Questions Raised Over McKinney Fundraiser
POSTED: 3:17 pm EDT April 4, 2006
UPDATED: 5:46 am EDT April 5, 2006
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Cynthia McKinney may have violated congressional fundraising rules.
Channel 2 Action News has learned that McKinney paid for singer Isaac Hayes to fly to Atlanta last March 25 to host a fundraising event at the Stone Mountain home of State Senator Gloria Butler.
McKinney's office used taxpayer money for Hayes $500 airline ticket and his $400 hotel bill.
Congressional rules strictly forbid using taxpayer money for campaign events.
"It's actually breaking the law," says Melanie Sloan of The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
"It's breaking house rules which prevent a member from using travel funds for anything but their own travel. And it breaks federal Election Commission law, which requires that only campaign funds be used for campaign expenses," added Sloan.
McKinney has admitted billing the taxpayers for Hayes' expenses, calling it an administrative error.
Information posted by the House Ethics Committee shows McKinney could potentially face a fine or removal from office, if a government investigation is conducted.
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