Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego is having the kind of week that makes you wish you'd just stayed in bed and never run for public office. The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the Democrat over alleged campaign finance violations, as The American Tribune reported, citing multiple sources.
According to Axios, a "source familiar with the probe" confirmed the investigation stems from a "whistleblower complaint" out of Southern California. The timing is interesting because the Senate Ethics Committee just closed its own inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations against Gallego, finding no evidence he violated Senate rules or applicable law. So naturally, the DOJ said hold my briefcase.
Now, what exactly is the senator alleged to have done with campaign funds? Oh, just the usual stuff. According to The New York Times, Gallego allegedly billed Super Bowl tickets worth $37,500, flights to Puerto Rico, Miami, and St. Barths with his family, and more than $26,000 in child care to his campaign accounts since 2019. You know, standard campaign expenses. Nothing says "getting out the vote" like watching the big game from a luxury suite and then jetting off to the Caribbean.
A Politico report from June 21 added that Gallego used his leadership PAC to fund trips to Miami, Chicago, Disneyland, and Disney World with his family. He also allegedly tapped that PAC and his main campaign committee for more than $18,000 in child care reimbursements since 2019. Breitbart News noted that Gallego has defended the travel as legal and appropriate costs for fundraising trips. Because apparently fundraising requires meeting Mickey Mouse.
The NY Times did point out that "it was not clear if it was Mr. Gallego's travel that triggered the investigation."
Gallego's camp is not taking this quietly. A spokesman called the investigation "politically motivated," and a spokesperson told Axios, "Trump is targeting Senator Gallego while the most weaponized Department of Justice in history is turning a blind eye to Trump's unprecedented corruption. It's the least surprising news of the week that this comes immediately after the Senate Ethics Committee cleared Senator Gallego of right-wing smears pushed by the administration."
Meanwhile, earlier in June, Gallego hired former Biden deputy press secretary Andrew Bates for crisis communications, which should tell you something about how relaxed the senator's office is feeling these days. That hire also reportedly covers any fallout from Gallego's close relationship with disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned after four women accused him of sexual assault, rape, and harassment.
Folks on X were not exactly sympathetic. One user wrote, "So much for your crowing yesterday, Sen. Gallego, that ethics violation charges are a lie. Now you have to answer to the DOJ." Another added, "Ruben is a joke. We will NEVER let him get re-elected again in AZ." When your donors find out their contributions funded a trip to Space Mountain, that might indeed be a tough reelection pitch.
Read more American news stories at: The American Tribune
