However, the Ethics panel announcement triggered the public release of the OCE report, which shows a widespread pattern of Bishop’s alleged improper spending over a long period of time.
“The OCE determined that Representative Bishop and his campaign committee spent campaign funds on various personal expenses. Specifically, the OCE found evidence that the Bishop of Sanford’s campaign committee for Congress likely spent tens of thousands of dollars on campaign funds on fuel, golf expenses, meals, travel, tuition and entertainment that were probably personal in nature, “the watchdog said in his report.
“The OCE also obtained evidence suggesting that Representative Bishop may have spent Member Representation Assignment (MRA) funds on an annual holiday celebration in violation of House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.” .
Bishop’s office released a statement saying Bishop has replaced his longtime treasurer and has retained the well-known Democratic law firm Perkins Coie.
The bishop’s office also said it has paid some of the funds it has allegedly misused, although it does not specify how much the veteran lawmaker disbursed.
“Before the Congressional Ethics Office (OCE) notified him of his review, he learned of the mistakes made by his campaign and had already taken immediate steps to comply with it,” the bishop’s office said. “Congressman Bishop has fully cooperated with the OCE review and has proactively reimbursed many of the charges that the OCE identified as incorrect. He will continue to work with the Ethics Committee in an open and transparent manner, and is prepared to take any necessary corrective action. “
“The congressman acknowledges that these mistakes should never have happened to begin with. Going forward, he intends to provide better oversight to ensure that mistakes like this never happen again,” the statement added.
However, the OCE findings paint a disturbing picture of a legislator who was lazy, at best, in keeping records for the use of campaign funds. For example, OCE found that Bishop’s wife and family may have covered the campaign’s fuel costs, but neither of them kept mileage records, making it impossible to determine what the campaign use was versus personal use. .
The congressman’s country club fees, totaling more than $ 70,000, were also paid by the campaign, with little or no record to support the use of those funds for that purpose.
“First, the OCE notes that Representative Bishop did not keep records of who he dined with or played golf with and the purpose of the campaign for such outings,” reports say. “In addition, Representative Bishop’s descriptions of how he used the golf club raised personal use concerns. Specifically, Representative Bishop said he considers his time at the club to be related to the campaign because it gives him the opportunity to ‘ run into ‘supporters and constituents and then discuss political issues during a round of golf or a meal. “
The report added: “In other words, Representative Bishop is not hosting specific fundraising events at the club; instead, he is using the club’s facilities, at least sometimes, alone or with his wife, and then interacts with his followers and components looking for him during a round of golf or a Sunday brunch. “
The OCE report also relates to health problems with long-time Bishop’s campaign treasurer Evelyn Turner Pugh, who allegedly lost her memory for several years and sometimes fell asleep while preparing Federal Commission reports. Electoral.
According to the OCE report, Charonda Huff, who eventually replaced Pugh, “also explained that Ms. Pugh was having difficulty writing, and that she often waited until the day a report was due to be filed to try to consolidate spending on the campaign for months. ” recent months, [Huff] described Ms. Pugh as having a memory loss. “
According to Huff, Bishop “had no idea and was shot down” when he was informed of problems within the campaign last summer.
