New questions are being raised about just how much money Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s campaign gave to his granddaughter for “holiday gifts.”
Mr. Reid looked to put the issue behind him this week by announcing plans to reimburse his campaign close to $17,000 for the “thank-you gifts,” but Ralston Reports has since said that Mr. Reid also cut additional checks — of $9,000 and $5,000 — to Ryan Elisabeth Reid in 2012, bringing the total to $31,000.
Ms. Reid owns a jewelry company.
Asked Wednesday whether the decision to reimburse his campaign was an acknowledgement of impropriety, Mr. Reid said, “No, in fact, it wasn’t.”
“We complied with all the rules,” he said.
The issue came to light after the Federal Election Commission flagged the spending and asked Mr. Reid last week for more details about the payments. Federal law prohibits campaign money to be used for personal purposes.
The Republican National Committee knocked Mr. Reid on Tuesday, saying it is “pretty brazen for Senator Harry Reid to funnel nearly $17,000 in campaign funds to his granddaughter for ’holiday gifts.’”
“One of these days Reid will learn that Nevadans don’t appreciate him using campaign money as his personal slush fund,” said RNC spokesman Jahan Wilcox.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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