The New Georgia Project, founded by Stacey Abrams, was fined $300,000—the largest fine in Georgia history—for violating state campaign finance laws during the 2018 election cycle. The ethics commission found the organization illegally campaigned for Abrams and other Democrats, including then-chairman Raphael Warnock, by failing to properly register and disclose millions in spending. This included using canvassing scripts and social media to promote candidates and a Gwinnett County transit referendum. The organization admitted to 16 violations, encompassing $4.2 million in contributions and $3.2 million in spending. This settlement concludes a lengthy investigation and multiple appeals.
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Brooklyn real estate developer Erden Arkan pleaded guilty to conspiring with a Turkish consular official to make illegal campaign contributions to Mayor Eric Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign. Arkan reimbursed employees for donations, enabling Adams to fraudulently obtain public matching funds. Prosecutors presented evidence including recordings and emails demonstrating the conspiracy, alleging that Adams solicited the donations. This plea marks the first guilty verdict in the broader bribery and campaign finance indictment against Adams, who maintains his innocence.
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The House Ethics Committee closed investigations into four representatives—three Republicans and one Democrat—for alleged campaign finance violations. While acknowledging evidence of non-compliance with personal use of campaign funds, the committee found insufficient proof of intentional misuse. The committee cited ambiguous FEC rules and issued updated guidance, prompting criticism that it effectively legalized personal use of campaign funds and disregarded evidence of wrongdoing. This decision, described as a “New Year’s Eve Ethics Massacre,” has been condemned by ethics experts as a failure to hold members of Congress accountable. The committee’s actions have raised concerns about the independence and effectiveness of the congressional ethics process.
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Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging that Senator Kyrsten Sinema illegally used over $100,000 in campaign funds for personal travel, including trips to Europe, Japan, and Aspen. The complaint cites numerous expenses for personal meals and lodging, unrelated to campaign activities, occurring after Sinema announced she would not seek reelection. CREW argues these expenditures violate the Federal Election Campaign Act, and urges the FEC to investigate and refer the matter to the Department of Justice. The timing of the expenses—after her reelection announcement and with no further campaign contributions—further exacerbates the accusations.
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Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint alleging that Senator Kyrsten Sinema misused over $200,000 in campaign funds for personal international travel after announcing her resignation. The complaint argues these expenditures, including trips to France, Japan, and the U.K., violate campaign finance laws prohibiting the use of campaign funds for personal benefit, lacking clear connection to official duties. CREW contends this spending warrants investigation by the Department of Justice, despite the Federal Election Commission’s often slow response to such complaints. This is not the first time Sinema’s spending has faced scrutiny.
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Facing a House Ethics Committee report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, and bribery, former Representative Matt Gaetz has filed for a restraining order in federal court. Gaetz argues the report’s release, containing potentially defamatory information, is unconstitutional and violates committee rules, irreparably harming his reputation. The report reportedly includes testimony alleging Gaetz engaged in sex with a minor and details numerous sex and drug-fueled parties. Gaetz denies allegations of sexual contact with minors but admits to past indiscretions.
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Following a reversal of its previous decision, the House Ethics Committee will release its report on former Representative Matt Gaetz before the end of the current Congress. The report concludes a years-long investigation into numerous allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations. Gaetz, who resigned from Congress and denies all allegations, claims to have been exonerated by the Department of Justice. The report’s release is unusual given Gaetz’s departure, and its contents, addressing claims of sexual contact with a minor, are highly anticipated.
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The House Ethics Committee unexpectedly reversed its prior decision and voted to release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz before the end of the current Congress. This report, concluding a years-long investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and campaign finance violations, will be made public after the House adjourns. The decision to release the report, despite Gaetz’s resignation and Speaker Johnson’s objections, suggests a bipartisan shift within the committee. The report’s release is unusual, as such actions are rarely taken after a member leaves Congress.
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President Trump’s allies and those within his circle have come under criminal scrutiny. Some have been convicted of committing crimes including bank and tax fraud, misusing charity funds, obstructing investigations, lying, witness tampering, campaign finance violations, and foreign lobbying violations. Here are 8 examples from the last four years:
- In 2019 the Trump Foundation was ordered to pay $2 million for misusing charity funds for personal use following an investigation.[1] The Trump Foundation dissolved following an investigation led by the New York Attorney General.[2] President Trump was ordered to pay $2 million for misusing charity funds.[3]
- In 2019 Trump campaign adviser and long time friend of President Trump – Roger Stone was convicted and sentenced to prison.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood