A new ethics complaint has been filed against Colorado Democratic Senator Michael Bennet’s office in Washington, DC for using taxpayer funds to promote his political campaign.
According to the filing, Bennet’s taxpayer-funded communications director has repeatedly used her government position to solicit funds for Bennet’s political campaign.
“Bennet’s taxpayer paid staff should be focused on working for Colorado and not soliciting funds for Bennet’s campaign,” said Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown. “This is a clear violation of Senate ethics rules, and an abuse of public trust.”
“Michael Bennet’s taxpayer-funded official Communications Director Olivia Bercow solicited funds for Bennet’s campaign on several occasions, most recently on November 2nd, in direct violation of Senate Rule 41,” the Colorado GOP said in its announcement of the filing.
“Senate Rule 41 prohibits all Senate employees, with limited exceptions that do not apply to Bercow, from soliciting funds in connection with any federal election, including on social media.”
“Further, the complaint shows that numerous taxpayer-funded staffers in Bennet’s official office have promoted his re-election campaign, prompting important ethical questions that deserve a full examination to determine the full extent of Bennet’s office’s willful disregard of guidance from the Senate Ethics Committee as it relates to political activity.”
Read the full ethics complaint here.