Pro-BDS Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib accused of taking illegal campaign funds

The anti-Israel congresswoman is said to have paid herself from campaign finances even after election day, in contravention of campaign spending regulations.

By World Israel News Staff

U.S. Democratic representative Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) paid herself tens of thousands of dollars from her campaign’s funds during the November 2018 midterm election, says the Washingon Free Beacon, citing filings of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Tlaib, who was elected to the House last November, began paying herself on May 7, 2018, from “Rashida Tlaib for Congress,” her campaign committee.

Tlaib legally paid herself $45,500 in campaign funds as she campaigned to become a congresswoman, Fox News reported.

But the payments could be an issue because candidates are only allowed to pay themselves until Election Day.

The congresswoman took only $28,000 in salary, which falls within the guidelines. However, she also paid herself $17,500 after Election Day, which appears to be a campaign finance violation. The FEC states that candidates are permitted to pay themselves during the campaign to provide for living expenses.

“If the candidate wins the primary election, his or her principal campaign committee may pay him or her a salary from campaign funds through the date of the general election, up to and including the date of any general election runoff,” it says.

After the campaign, when candidates are no longer supposed to pay themselves, Tlaib reportedly took $2,000. The check was said to have been dated November 16; the election took place on the 6th. Tlaib gave herself another check for $15,500 on December 1, according to the report.

Tlaib’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the payments, says the Washingon Free Beacon.

Tlaib, who describes herself as the “first Palestinian-American woman to serve in Congress,” is a supporter of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. “

BDSRashida TlaibUS Congress