Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego is reportedly under investigation by the Department of Justice concerning allegations that he used campaign contributions for personal family trips and expenses. This federal probe follows earlier reports detailing the alleged financial improprieties.
Reports from the previous week indicated that Senator Gallego utilized campaign finances for family excursions to destinations including Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World, and Chicago. He also reportedly allocated funds for attending the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, an expense he maintained was a legitimate part of a campaign fundraising effort.
Furthermore, earlier reports detailed that the senator reimbursed himself $18,000 for childcare expenses from his leadership PAC. This information emerged shortly before the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint against him on Monday, which had cited alleged campaign finance irregularities and accusations of sexual misconduct.
Senator Gallego's Defense
Senator Gallego had previously dismissed the allegations presented in the initial news report.
"This is not breaking news," he was quoted as saying. "With the rising costs of child care and the burden it has on the budgets of American families, Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the White House alike regularly travel with their wives and children, as is permitted by the FEC."
Following the dismissal of the ethics complaints on Monday afternoon, Senator Gallego characterized them as "right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists," according to an NPR account. The revelation of the Department of Justice investigation came less than 24 hours after Congress cleared him of the ethics complaints.
Connections to Eric Swalwell
Senator Gallego maintained a close association with former California Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, who resigned from his congressional position amidst numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims of rape and sexual assault.
Swalwell acknowledged "mistakes" but consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the allegations. The former congressman, who was a gubernatorial candidate in California when the allegations surfaced, was also present with Senator Gallego at the 2023 Super Bowl.