Bernie Sanders Used Campaign Donations to Pay Family Members Over $150,000

Looks like Bernie Sanders has used campaign money to pay family members (his Wife and step-Daughter).

Although this apparently happened some years ago, it seems to be verified by Federal Election Commission records.

Makes people wonder if this is, or will be happening in the current Presidential Campaign?

Bernie needs to be very careful what he says and what he does as well as come up with answers to past performance.

Will this harm him or help him?


Exclusive: Bernie Sanders Used Campaign Donations to Pay Family Members Over $150,000

Since 2000, Sanders has used campaign donations to pay his wife and stepdaughter more than $150,000, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission.

His wife Jane O’Meara Sanders received $91,020 for “consultation” and to negotiate the purchase of television and radio ads. Approximately $61,000 of that was “pass through” money used to pay for the ads, O’Meara Sanders told the Bennington Banner. She kept about $30,000 as pay for her services.

Her daughter Carina Driscoll, Sanders’ stepdaughter, earned $65,002 from the Sanders campaign between 2000 and 2004, records show.

The article cites some other examples and refers to other politicians as well.

Well it's down to 90k once you take into account the pass-through monies. Does this seem like an unreasonable sum for the work performed? You must have experience in these matters, it would be nice if you could have some examples to show that this is somehow misuse of funding.

I don't understand where you have issue with this. There's nothing illegal, or unethical here. Work was performed, and a decent pay was given out for efforts. Would you expect these positions should be unpaid, or do you have issue that it's people related to him which were paid? I'm not sure why he would have to answer to something that is perfectly reasonable.

a reply to: xuenchen

so this is regurgitated crap from 2006 that didnt stick last time but hey lets fling the poo again

a reply to: xuenchen

The Tarrant campaign has resurrected news stories revealing that Sanders’ wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders — a former professional media buyer — was paid $30,000 for working on Sanders’ 2002 and 2004 House campaigns and his step-daughter, Carina Driscoll, had been paid about $65,000 over a five-year period.

What Sanders did is technically not illegal, but it’s astonishing that someone campaigning on the removal of big money in politics used campaign funds to pay large sums of money to members of his own family.

Looks like a nice piece of sensationalism. The wife made 15,000 per year for 2 years of help. The step daughter was paid 15,000 a year for her 5 years of help. I don't see how poverty level work is considered large sums of money.

As long as they actually performed work I don't see anything wrong with it.

What I would like to know is what others who performed similar functions were paid. Is there a significant difference or was the pay family members received in line with what people performing similar roles were paid?

a reply to: xuenchen

I understand the idea behind posting this as I'm all for transparency, but it sounds like someone is obviously reaching for SOMETHING, ANYTHING on Bernie to make him look bad....






You're wasting your time, you won't find anything.

a reply to: xuenchen

The number $150,000 sticks out, if only I could remember the other politician that spent $150,000.

The half term Governor spent that much of the RNC's money on clothes for herself!

Republicans Spent $150,000 on Sarah Palin's Wardrobe

Sarah Palin's sharp looks on the campaign trail come at a price: more than $150,000 on clothing and accessories from high-end department stores since the Alaska governor was the surprise pick by John McCain to be his running mate, records reveal.

source

Can't find anything on Bernie! Now HILLARY! She's a different story! I thinks she'll get desperate and opt for gender re-identification surgery and become an old, fat middle aged straight male. She will then become so depressed at the utter futility of it all, he just sulks on the couch in holy underwear swilling cheap beer and eating fried pork skin rinds. WELCOME TO MY REALITY HILLARY!!

a reply to: xuenchen

So it's against the law to hire family and friends? If he hired a complete stranger that would be better? It doesn't seem at all unusual for all of these politicians to hire family members to work on their campaigns.

so for the wife. $61K of that was pass thru.
And she earned some $30k.

The daughter earned $65k over 4 years?

A corruption scandal this does not make.

I doubt even Faux News would make a stink over this.

Since 2000, Sanders has used campaign donations to pay his wife and stepdaughter more than $150,000, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission.

His wife Jane O’Meara Sanders received $91,020 for “consultation” and to negotiate the purchase of television and radio ads. Approximately $61,000 of that was “pass through” money used to pay for the ads, O’Meara Sanders told the Bennington Banner. She kept about $30,000 as pay for her services.

Her daughter Carina Driscoll, Sanders’ stepdaughter, earned $65,002 from the Sanders campaign between 2000 and 2004, records show.

So the man is a job creator.
Good for him.

:-)

Use of CAMPAIGN funds for this purpose are permissible, as long as they do not exceed fair market value for said services. House Ethics

The amount of monies involved don't raise red flags, and could be explained away as payment for work being done. The only way this situation will have any bearing is if Sanders slings mud at any of his opposites on the campaign trail for similar dealings.

Nepotism isn't illegal, just distasteful and unjust. This doesn't appear to be an example.

a reply to: desert

...and these certainly did not exceed fair market value...quite the opposite.

It shouldn't hurt him. He hired his family to work for his campaign and they were paid around 30k for their services. The rest of the money was used for ads etc from the looks of it.

This is just more right vs. left propaganda to demonize their competitors. The problem is they worry about making each other look bad. How about they try and figure out whats wrong with the country and come up with a plan on how they will fix it.

This is the reason both Republicans and Democrats are terrible. I feel its time for politicians to grow up and get a real job for a change instead of leaching off the tax payers.

Perhaps there is a confusion over hiring relatives with taxpayer money vs campaign funds.

Are Members of the House Allowed to Hire Relatives?

the short answer is...

you are correct that members may not hire relatives to work in House offices. Yet they may hire relatives to work on their campaigns.

The long answer can be read using the link.

This thread perfectly illustrates exactly how far one has to reach to dig up "dirt" on Bernie Sanders.

a reply to: xuenchen

But. . . . "WAS IT A LIVING WAGE???????"

originally posted by: AshOnMyTomatoes
This thread perfectly illustrates exactly how far one has to reach to dig up "dirt" on Bernie Sanders.

Yeah, if this qualifies as dirt... Bernie must be the cleanest politician in Washington.

Do people expect his workers, relatives or otherwise, to perform their duties for free?

a reply to: xuenchen

Awww xuenchen, is this the best you got? You're slipping dude.

This is non-issue. GO BERNIE!