Reports of Sinema’s potentially illegal campaign spending on Arizona TV stations, the Arizona Republic, as well as national outlets
Last week Replace Sinema filed a 27-page FEC complaint against Kyrsten Sinema, outlining questionable spending of campaign funds on luxury hotels, chauffeurs, private jets, fancy dinners, and wine. The complaint alleges that Sinema “illegally diverted funds that were donated to her for campaigning for federal office by making expenditures for her personal use and benefit.”
Arizona voters are taking notice and demanding answers. Excerpts below:
Arizona Republic: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema hit with complaint of lavish campaign spending
Ron Hansen // May 19, 2023
The group’s complaint mirrors spending detailed last week by the Daily Beast and builds on a narrative touted by U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who is vying for her seat, of a senator unwilling to meet with her constituents as she does the bidding of billionaires.
Arizona’s Family (PhoeniX CBS5/3TV)): FEC complaint calls for federal probe of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema spending
Derek Staahl // May 18, 2023
Sinema has faced mounting questions about the legitimacy of more than $180,000 in campaign expenditures dating back to 2019 on luxury hotels, posh resorts, Michelin-star restaurants, international travel and winery visits.
This segment also ran on KOLD-TV in Tucson.
Arizona Sun Times: Complaint Filed Against Senator Kyrsten Sinema over Campaign Spending
Neil Jones // May 20, 2023
The CFAPAC’s complaint states that Sinema continuing to pursue personal hobbies while in the office is no crime, but using campaign funding to do so is. The PAC also noted that some of Sinema’s trips involving fine dining or recreation coincided with a campaign event. However, they argue that one event during a multi-day trip does not justify using campaign funds for all expenses related to the outing.
KNXV-TV—ABC15 (Phoenix)
May 19, 2023
Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema facing a new FEC complaint…
KMSB-TV (FOX) – Tucson
May 18, 2023
A complaint has been filed with the FEC to request a formal investigation into Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s campaign spending. The complaint, filed by Change for Arizona 2024, a PAC trying to unseat the Senator, alleges that Sinema “illegally diverted funds intended for her campaign for personal use.”
NBC News: Eyes on 2024: Sinema spending
May 19, 2023
Replace Sinema, a Democratic-aligned group that has advocated against Arizona Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s re-election, filed an FEC complaint questioning her campaign spending on “luxury hotels, chauffeurs, private jets, fancy dinners, and wine.”
Jezebel: Kyrsten Sinema Faces Ethics Complaint for Financing ‘Life of Luxury’ With Campaign Funds
Kylie Cheung // May 20, 2023
The FEC complaint against Sinema filed on Thursday by the liberal political action committee Change for Arizona 2024 alleges that Sinema has been using both campaign funds and public funds to bankroll her “lifestyle of luxury,” pointing specifically to trips to resorts in Paris and, of course, her participation in marathons.
Washington Examiner: Sinema’s spending on campaign trips draws complaint from PAC trying to oust her
Cami Mondeaux // May 20, 2023
Replace Sinema, a political action committee created to do just that, filed the complaint with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday, citing reports that Sinema has used campaign donations to pay for expensive trips to places such as London and Paris as well as for lodging and food. The group accused Sinema of misrepresenting those expenses by falsely reporting them as “legitimate uses of campaign funds.”
Daily Beast: Anti-Sinema PAC Demands Probe of Spending Revealed by Daily Beast
May 20, 2023
A political action committee that wants to push Sen. Kyrsten Sinema out of office has asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate spending that was outlined in a story by The Daily Beast this week. “We have been watching with growing concern the instances of Sinema abusing the power of her office, exploiting her campaign and Senate accounts for personal use,” Luis Avila, a senior adviser with Change for Arizona 2024, told the Arizona Republic. The Beast uncovered six times since 2019 when Sinema traveled to take part in a marathon or another race and scheduled fundraising activity in the same area, allowing her to use campaign money to cover lodging and other expenses.
Crooks and Liars: Kyrsten Sinema’s Lavish Spending Gets FEC Complaint
Ed Scarce // May 21, 2023
A complaint by Change for Arizona 2024 was filed this week with the Federal Election Commission. The Daily Beast has also been looking into Sinema’s spending, saying that while it appeared to be “unique”, it was also legal under existing rules.
Red State: Progressive PAC Files ‘Spending’ Complaint With FEC in Desparate Ploy to Push Sinema Out
Becca Lower // May 20, 2023
But now, there’s a big controversy surrounding Sinema—and our local CBS affiliate in Phoenix, KASW-TV and the Copper state’s largest newspaper, the Arizona Republic are on the case, folks.
Raw Story: Kyrsten Sinema hammered in FEC complaint over campaign spending on her ‘lifestyle of luxury‘
Tom Boggioni // May 20, 2023
The FEC is in receipt of a formal complaint levied against Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) accusing her of using campaign donations to finance a lavish lifestyle that has nothing to do with the job voters sent her to Congress to do.
Twitchy: The FEC is investigating Senator Sinema for illegal campaign spending and Twitter has theories
May 19, 2023
News just broke Senator Kyrsten Sinema is being investigated for lavish campaign expenses when she wasn’t even actually campaigning. Sinema is accused of lavish expenditures for luxury hotels, resorts and even fine wines. Oops.
Election Law Blog: “FEC complaint calls for federal probe of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema spending”
Derek Muller // May 22, 2023
Arizona’s Family has the complaint here: A complaint filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission asks regulators to open a formal investigation into campaign spending by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.
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