Trumpocalypse: No hanky/lanky

Doc Louis · Nov 25, 2020

shawnoc said: ↑

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That's so wrong. Just do it the Trump way and give him an eviction notice.

bro · Nov 25, 2020

Doc Louis · Nov 25, 2020

DUCKMOUTH said: ↑

So glad to see this. One of Trumps biggest supporters in Congress. Awful piece of shit.

From $53K on golf to meals at Hooters, records show how Palazzo spends campaign funds
By Geoff Pender Mississippi Today

November 25, 2020 09:57 AM,
As a congressional ethics office investigates U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo’s campaign spending, a deeper look at his campaign finances raises questions of whether he uses his account as a second personal income.

Palazzo spends thousands of dollars a year from his campaign account on meals, from the swankiest restaurants and clubs in Washington, D.C., and Mississippi, to Hooters, Newk’s, pizza and fast food chains, and live music and barbecue joints.

In all, Palazzo has spent more than $115,600 on meals since he took office in 2010 — an average of $11,560 a year — not counting the nearly $188,000 he spent catering events and booking venues for his campaign. By comparison, his colleague Rep. Michael Guest since he took office has spent less than $1,300 a year listed as meals separate from larger catered campaign events.

Palazzo has also spent tens of thousands of dollars on hotel rooms in D.C., Mississippi and beachside Florida resorts, entertainment and golfing — including a $3,100 golf cart. The campaign also has spent nearly $42,000 on “gifts.”

The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating Palazzo’s campaign spendingafter the Campaign Legal Center watchdog group in March filed a complaint. That complaint centered on whether Palazzo used campaign funds to pay himself and his erstwhile wife nearly $200,000 through companies they own.

Palazzo, through a campaign spokesman, said the complaint and questions about his campaign spending are “politically motivated,” and that Palazzo is cooperating with the OCE investigation and will be exonerated.

“This all started with Congressman Palazzo’s primary opponents in the 2020 Republican primary, and it is all just politically motivated,” said Palazzo campaign spokesman Justin Brasell. “… All of this is permissible, except where we found a couple of mistakes and we fixed it.”

The mistakes, Brasell said, were the campaign’s purchase of a $5,100 fold-up wall bed, or “Murphy bed,” and nearly $2,000 in continuing accounting education for Palazzo, who is a CPA.

“The (bed) purchase was for office furniture in the D.C. office,” Palazzo’s campaign said in a written statement. “We thought it was allowable only to learn later it was not … After inquiring on (continuing education), we were told this was not allowed.”

Brasell said Palazzo has reimbursed the campaign for those expenditures. The campaign also corrected what it said was a “typo” in Palazzo’s campaign reporting — a $119,771 payment originally listed to the Hyatt Regency hotel on Capitol Hill was only for $1,197, spent on “hotel rooms for Congressman Palazzo’s family for campaign events they attended in D.C.”

Is Palazzo using campaign funds as ‘personal slush fund’?
The Campaign Legal Center said Palazzo, who makes $174,000 a year as a congressman, appears to be using his campaign account as a “personal slush fund.”

Federal law and U.S. House rules prohibit conversion of campaign money to personal use. Violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act can carry felony criminal penalties. The OCE investigates such complaints and can recommend they be dismissed, handed off to the House Ethics Committee for further review or discipline, or refer them to the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal investigation.

Brasell said Palazzo has not been contacted by any agencies or investigators other than the OCE.

Robert L. Deming III, a Biloxi city councilman who unsuccessfully challenged Palazzo in this year’s Republican primary, said he saw what he believed were “red flags” with Palazzo’s campaign account and “unfathomable” spending. He said he hired an investigator and election compliance experts and turned over his findings to the CLC, U.S. attorney’s office and “everybody I could think of.”

Deming said it “absolutely” appeared Palazzo was using his campaign account for personal spending. He said he did not try to make this a big issue in his run against Palazzo — although other opponents did — but that he felt bound to report it.

“I just did my duty as a citizen,” Deming said. “When you see something that doesn’t look right, turn it over to the proper authorities and let them do their job.”

The CLC complaint being investigated by the ethics office is centered on:

More than $60,000 in monthly rental payments of $3,000 from the campaign to a property company called Greene Acres MS that Palazzo owns in Perkinston. Palazzo claims this was for a campaign office, but the complaint said there is a “lack of any publicly available information” about the campaign having used such an office.

More than $146,000 to his now former wife’s accounting firm — which Palazzo turned over to her after he took office. The campaign also was paying another accounting firm “for apparently the same services,” the complaint said. Palazzo’s campaign, the CLC complaint says, in recent years has paid nearly as much for accounting services as his three Mississippi House colleagues paid combined. Brasell said the Palazzo firm handled the campaign’s day-to-day accounting while the other firm handled FEC compliance and reporting.

But the payments also raise questions about Palazzo’s separation and later divorce from his wife. The 2016 divorce settlement said Palazzo shall “continue to pay the wife rent” of $1,500 a month on an Arlington, Va., condominium in which he has lived while in D.C. Palazzo’s campaign payments to the accounting firm are mostly for round numbers, Deming said, and on aggregate total nearly the same amount as $1,500 a month rent would.

Palazzo’s divorce records also said he would be responsible for debt on a Perkinston home and property, raising questions of whether his payments to his Greene Acres property company were campaign related or for mortgage on the home and property.

Campaign strategy meals at Hooters
Brasell said all of Palazzo’s campaign spending has been for campaign-related expenses.

For instance, of Palazzo’s campaign spending on meals, Brasell said, “It is commonplace to hold meetings at restaurants and pay for meals for campaign staffers, volunteers and donors.”

“Members are allowed to expense meals that are incidental to their role as a candidate as an officeholder, such as food for campaign events, fundraisers or strategy sessions.”

The campaign did not specify what campaign events or strategy sessions were held at a Hooters in Mississippi. Campaign records indicate expenditures of $57.41, $63.65, $89.78 and $394.63 for meals at Hooters, among more than 550 meals listed in the campaign account.

Most of the campaign meals listed run from a few dollars at fast food places to hundreds of dollars at steak houses or fancy restaurants. One is for more than $3,655 at the Capitol Hill Club. Others include $461 at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and $533 at Beau Rivage Prime casino restaurant.

Federal officeholders and campaign staff are allowed to expense meals “incidental” to their role as officeholder or candidate, such as campaign meetings and events, strategy sessions or fundraisers.

Other lawmakers have come under scrutiny for their meal and other spending, such as Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio, who spent more than $70,000 from his campaign account since 2017 on meals, and Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, who pleaded guilty of misuse of campaign funds and resigned after being accused of spending more than $200,000 from his campaign account on family vacations abroad and large bar tabs.

Where else did Palazzo spend money?

Other notable expenditures from Palazzo’s campaign funds include:

Nearly $42,000 in “gifts.” These gifts include thousands of dollars worth of liquor and wine and purchases from a tactical clothing outfitter, a cowboy boot store and university campus stores. The campaign said these are “memorabilia for fundraising events, items given to silent auction events for local political party groups, etc.”

More than $12,700 on sporting events in the Washington, D.C. area. This includes about $2,000 on “fundraising expenses” at Washington Nationals baseball games, and more than $10,600 with Washington Suite Life, which offers suites at sporting and other events. Palazzo’s campaign said these expenses were for “tickets to the Nationals game for the fundraising event.”

More than $53,000 on golf-related expenses. This includes more than $3,100 for a golf cart for campaign events and thousands of dollars for golf balls, hats and tees with his logo on them. The campaign has for years held a golf tournament fundraiser at the Preserve Golf Club on the Coast.

Nearly $7,500 for “trailers.” The campaign has made five expenditures over several years for trailers, including one in 2018 for nearly $2,200 to MCPAL Company for an “enclosed trailer.” Secretary of State filings show Palazzo’s mother is president of MCPAL Company. Palazzo’s campaign said the MCPAL payment “was a reimbursement for a borrowed trailer that was stolen during the campaign.” The statement said, “As of now the campaign has one covered trailer and one flatbed trailer.”

Brasell said Palazzo’s campaign spending is all aboveboard and all on “political expenses, fundraising, campaign expenses.”

“He has to constantly run for office, every two years,” Brasell said. “This is all just routine (campaign spending), they’re just trying to spin it and make it seem otherwise.”

Kedric Payne, general counsel and director of ethics for the Campaign Legal Center, said: “The big picture is that this diminishes the public’s trust when a congressman uses campaign money for a personal slush fund. It is encouraging to see there is an investigation into this.”

Rep. Steven Palazzo has been in Congress since 2011, after he defeated 10-term congressman Gene Taylor in 2010.TIM ISBELL SUN HERALD File

U.S. consumers increased their spending by a sluggish 0.5% in October, the weakest gain since April when the pandemic first erupted and a sign that Americans remain wary with the virus resurging across the country and threatening the economy.
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Maybe he thought it was a gift card to Hooters/Newk's?

electronic · Nov 25, 2020

Law and Order!

jrmy · Nov 25, 2020

Imagine being Paul Manafort right now lmao

shivious · Nov 25, 2020

JeremyLambsFace said: ↑

Imagine being Paul Manafort right now lmao
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He will get one too. Trump will pardon everyone from whom he has benefitted regardless of the crime. This fucker is going to go out with some bangs.

jrmy · Nov 25, 2020

shivious said: ↑

He will get one too. Trump will pardon everyone from whom he has benefitted regardless of the crime. This fucker is going to go out with some bangs.
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I doubt it. No need with his bitch ass being on house arrest due to COVID concerns for the foreseeable future.

enjj · Nov 25, 2020

swiz said: ↑

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Are there any state crimes that can be put in play on Flynn?

Hoss Bonaventure · Nov 25, 2020

enjj said: ↑

Are there any state crimes that can be put in play on Flynn?
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I think treason is federal only.

Where Eagles Dare · Nov 25, 2020

Flynn has to fully cooperate with any investigation and admit his crimes, right?

Isn't thst how a pardon works?

PeterGriffin · Nov 25, 2020

Where Eagles Dare said: ↑

Flynn has to fully cooperate with any investigation and admit his crimes, right?

Isn't thst how a pardon works?
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My understanding is he can no longer incriminate himself in regard to the events, so he can’t plead the 5th. Am I correct in this interpretation?

Vito Corleone · Nov 25, 2020

Pardon season

BlazingRebel · Nov 25, 2020

my favorite twitter account currently

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

Where Eagles Dare said: ↑

Flynn has to fully cooperate with any investigation and admit his crimes, right?

Isn't thst how a pardon works?
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He already admitted to his crimes by pleading guilty.

BlazingRebel · Nov 25, 2020

So much wrong with this

Bruce Wayne · Nov 25, 2020

Reminder for those thinking the government was too harsh on Flynn

Josey Wales · Nov 25, 2020

Bruce Wayne said: ↑

Reminder for those thinking the government was too harsh on Flynn

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Does this mean the govt can seek to charge him with crimes he hasn’t been charged/convicted of?

NCHusker · Nov 25, 2020

Frustrating how much of a fucking old boys club our federal government is.

VaxRule · Nov 25, 2020

Josey Wales said: ↑

Does this mean the govt can seek to charge him with crimes he hasn’t been charged/convicted of?
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Depends on how the pardon is worded I imagine.

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

Surprising

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/11/25/trump-administration-denies-permit-for-pebble-mine/

BellottiBold · Nov 25, 2020

The Banks said: ↑

Surprising

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/11/25/trump-administration-denies-permit-for-pebble-mine/
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does this fuck with Murkowski in any way?

BellottiBold · Nov 25, 2020

Josey Wales said: ↑

Does this mean the govt can seek to charge him with crimes he hasn’t been charged/convicted of?
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AlternativeFactsRule said: ↑

Depends on how the pardon is worded I imagine.
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hmm

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

BellottiBold said: ↑

does this fuck with Murkowski in any way?
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What do you mean?

jrmy · Nov 25, 2020

BellottiBold said: ↑

hmm

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The pardon would only pertain to the charges for which he’s currently on trial for correct?

BellottiBold · Nov 25, 2020

The Banks said: ↑

What do you mean?
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(clearly I know nothing about this)
I was wondering if Murkowski was perhaps a strong proponent, and hence denying the permit costs her politically

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

BellottiBold said: ↑

(clearly I know nothing about this)
I was wondering if Murkowski was perhaps a strong proponent, and hence denying the permit costs her politically
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Naw she’s against it.

“wrong mine in the wrong place”

southside · Nov 25, 2020

NCHusker said: ↑

Frustrating how much of a fucking old boys club our federal government is.
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That goes for all of them.

lfriend · Nov 25, 2020

JeremyLambsFace said: ↑

The pardon would only pertain to the charges for which he’s currently on trial for correct?
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Yeah

BudKilmer · Nov 25, 2020

CUAngler

Fran Tarkenton · Nov 25, 2020

The Banks said: ↑

Surprising

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/11/25/trump-administration-denies-permit-for-pebble-mine/
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this had been reported as something Junior and Nick Ayres were convincing Trump to do

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

Fran Tarkenton said: ↑

this had been reported as something Junior and Nick Ayres were convincing Trump to do
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Why did him and junior not want the project? Threatening the worlds greatest fishery seems right up their alley.

CUAngler · Nov 25, 2020

BudKilmer said: ↑

CUAngler

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Complete scumbags. Hopefully they never get up off the mat again.

Fran Tarkenton · Nov 25, 2020

The Banks said: ↑

Why did him and junior not want the project? Threatening the worlds greatest fishery seems right up their alley.
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I think there were some signs that it was bad politics up there but Im sure its due to someone of influence having something $ at stake (its always about $).

I think Ayers took him up on a hunt/fish trip and sold junior on opposing it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/pebble-mine-trump-alaska.html

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

Fran Tarkenton said: ↑

I think there were some signs that it was bad politics up there but Im sure its due to someone of influence having something $ at stake (its always about $).

I think Ayers took him up on a hunt/fish trip and sold junior on opposing it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/pebble-mine-trump-alaska.html
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Yeah it was not popular up here and has been in the news as long as ANWR. I think it had something like 48% strongly disapprove, 15% strongly approve.

The Banks · Nov 25, 2020

"One of the wettest we've ever seen from the standpoint of...water"

Prospector · Nov 25, 2020

IV said: ↑

going to war without congressional approval?

seems like a good way to actually get charged with treason
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Ppppfffftttt

Can I Spliff it · Nov 25, 2020

Can I Spliff it · Nov 25, 2020

IV · Nov 26, 2020

Prospector said: ↑

Ppppfffftttt
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surprised it took this long

jrmy · Nov 26, 2020

Can I Spliff it said: ↑

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IV · Nov 26, 2020

JeremyLambsFace said: ↑

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PeterGriffin · Nov 26, 2020

Religious extremists prevail in Supreme Court ruling this evening, allowed to congregate en masse in Mass.

Honestly this is probably the best content I've ever written. The only way it could have been better was if the ruling was in Massachusetts instead of New York so I could say en masse in Mass in Mass. Also, synagogues were among the plaintiffs, still workshopping on how to include them.

Can I Spliff it · Nov 26, 2020

Can I Spliff it · Nov 26, 2020

devine · Nov 26, 2020

Can I Spliff it said: ↑

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BudKilmer · Nov 26, 2020

Beeds07 · Nov 26, 2020

Trillion. With a T

Hugo Boss · Nov 26, 2020

Beeds07 said: ↑

Trillion. With a T

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Butthead · Nov 26, 2020

rick perlstein's book on trump is going to be like 4000 pages

Truman · Nov 26, 2020

Butthead said: ↑

rick perlstein's book on trump is going to be like 4000 pages
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That will be just the first volume

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