Bachmann campaign hit with Congressional Ethics probe

The Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating alleged campaign finance violations by the Bachmann campaign

Published March 25, 2013 5:54PM (EDT)

 Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.                 (Facebook/teambachmann)
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. (Facebook/teambachmann)

Federal investigators are probing whether Michele Bachmann's 2012 presidential campaign intentionally committed campaign finance violations, John Avlon of the Daily Beast reports.

The probe is being conducted by the Office of Congressional Ethics, which can then choose to refer the case to the House Ethics Committee.

From the Daily Beast:

Former staffers tell the Beast that investigators have allegedly asked about allegations of improper transfer of funds and under-the-table payments actions by Bachmann’s presidential campaign, specifically in relation to the campaign’s national political director, Guy Short, and Bachmann’s one-time Iowa campaign chairman, State Senator Kent Sorenson. Questions directly about Bachmann, they said, have been primarily focused on what she knew about those men’s actions and when she knew it.

“There are no allegations that the Congresswoman engaged in any wrongdoing,” said William McGinley, the lawyer for Bachmann's campaign. “We are constructively engaged with the OCE and are confident that at the end of their Review the OCE Board will conclude that Congresswoman Bachmann did not do anything inappropriate.”


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Ethics Investigation House Republicans Michele Bachmann Minnesota Republicans