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Sanchez improperly used campaign money to buy clothes
July 16th, 2009, 4:05 pm · 72 Comments · posted by Martin Wisckol, Politics reporter
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove, improperly used campaign money to buy new clothes, the Federal Election Commission said today. But a complaint against Sanchez and three other congressional candidates with a similar violation was nonetheless dismissed by the FEC.
“The FEC said candidates cannot use campaign money for expenses they would have had whether they were running for office or not, such as clothes,” according to the Associated Press. “The commission said it decided against punishing the four because the amounts spent were modest and the candidates reimbursed their campaigns.”
It’s the second day in a row Sanchez has attracted the attention of AP. Yesterday, the wire service mentioned her as a possible candidate for governor in this report.
Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin attracted attention for a similar issue last year when the Republican National Committee spent more than $150,000 on designer clothing and accessories for her and her family, according to the AP. The RNC and Palin have said many of the items were returned to stores and the rest would be given to charity.
The FEC earlier this year dismissed a complaint over the Palin purchases, saying the ban on use of donations to buy clothing doesn’t apply to party money. The commission has asked Congress to add political party funds to the ban.
The others investigated for improper use of campaign money for clothes were Rep. Rob Andrews, D-New Jersey, – and former GOP House candidates, Bill Dew of Utah and William Breazeale of North Carolina.
Click here for news about the Wednesday’s FEC campaign disclosure filings from Sanchez and other Orange County congressional candidates.
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DENA BUNIS, Washington bureau chief, 202-628-6381 or dbunis@ocregister.com
BRIAN JOSEPH, Sacramento correspondent, 916-449-6046 or bjoseph@ocregister.com
JENNIFER MUIR, County government reporter, 714-796-7813 or jmuir@ocregister.com
JOEL WALSH, Washington bureau intern, 202-628-6381 or jwalsh@ocregister.com
MARTIN WISCKOL, Politics reporter, 714-285-2867 or mwisckol@ocregister.com twitter.com/MartinWisckol
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I hate politicians because they pull stunts like this and think that they are above all else. Ethically if I were running I would have a hard time trying to justify clothes shopping as campaign expense money. Come on man, pony up your own money for clothes. If you want to run for office then purchase it yourself with your own credit card.
Chefgal,
You missed a big point here. These scoundrels are professional spenders and it is ingrained into their DNA, that’s why they want to control your life.
You see they are trained by the Democratic Party to spend OTHER PEOPLES MONEY, it would never occur to them to dip into their own pocket. That is an unnatural act for a Dem.
Is there anything on this blog that isn’t viewed through a dems v. GOP prism? The real world is a lot bigger than this idiotic left/right debate. And what’s with this democrats “want to control your life” conspiracy theory? I’ll bet Mark960 believes the government was behind 9/11 and O.J. was set-up by the real killers.
regularguy7 -
You mean they weren’t? ….I am devestated….. What about UFO’s, Bigfoot, Santa Claus and the Apollo 11 Faked landing theory…. You don”t mean that these are hoaxes as well! I am crushed.
I’d like to see how it compares to Palin’s multi-thousand dollar makeovers!
The use of ‘Party Money’ is not illegal. So stated in the article.
Palin is a beautiful woman, there is not much you have to do to make her look good. God gave her that already. However, I don’t think there is enough money in the world to fix Sanchez. And, if you read your paper Palin gave back the clothes, which she did not ask for in the first place!!! Not like Sanchez, who if she had not be caught would never have paid back the taxpayers what she spent. Sneaky, sneaky, let’s see what we can get away with attitude.
Wisckol is working for Tran and so is the OC Register
What is your point here!
Sanchez is still a punk, no matter who you think the register is working for.
To quote the Democrats, she didn’t need any cloths. All she needed was some lipstick.
How many purses and shoes were also purchased to accessorize her cute new wardrobe?
SPINELESS ! Take the laws off the books if you’re not going to enforce them…..SPINELESS !
Eric Cooper, I totaly agree with you !!
Why isn’t their explanation ‘ published ‘ ? This reminds me of the bank robber who gets caught and offers to give the money back. If they are that dumb then they shouldn’t be in Congress…period !
Shocking. I need to sit. This seven term public servant spent campaign money on clothes? Were these clothes for the needy, the homeless?
The FEC said it decided against punishing, because the amounts spent were modest and the candidates reimbursed their campaigns.
Phew.
Wait, why harp on the democrats when the biggest spender of clothes & other makeover items was PALIN!
This is an issue with all politicians.
Another one that can not comprehend the article.
Loretta Sanchez could commit murder and still get elected. You have to remember, the people that she represents are all Hispanic. That means that the ones that can vote, vote for her because she has never met an illegal that she doesn’t like. The sheep will continue to vote for her and then scratch their heads and wonder why California is Bankrupt.
IT IS BECAUSE PEOPLE KEEP VOTING FOR THIS IDIOT!!! Loretta Sanchez has ONE agenda. Get as many Mexicans into California as possible. Who cares if it is legal and who cares how much it costs taxpayers. This is the saddest situation in California. She cannot be stopped and the voters will not stop her.
I have to agree with you, Shemp. It is the racist, LaRaza mentality. Her office is close to where I live. Like all the good Dems, she didn’t read the TARP, or the “Stimulus” Bills, but voted for them, putting us into perpetual debt!
The politician panders for their boodle, and they think nothing of America’s future. You know what is a trip? Robert K. Dornan used to hold that office. The party of the hand out is now in charge.
shemp, you are racist. California was taken by force from Mexico long ago. Move if you don’t like it.
Carlos, you are not very bright. Obviously, the genocide perpetrated by the Conquistadors and their Catholic church builders makes YOU think that the following mentioned lands belong to Mexico.
I doubt that the Navajo, Apache, Juanero, Pala, Paiute, or the Mojave feel that Spanish is the correct language to be spoken in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, or Texas.
If you don’t like it, go back to Mexico, and speak Spanish, the language of the King of Spain!
I understand Geronimo despised the Mexicans.
So Carlos, why don’t we give Mexico California, move their corrupt government here with all the drug cartel. We will move to Mexico, give people jobs by building Mexico into a great state (country) with all the vast resources that Mexico has - and remember we will be taking our laws and welfare system with us! I bet once we get Mexico up and running they will be wanting to go back to Mexico to live. Do you doubt that? We will also leave them the mayor of Los Angeles and Sanchez as well as Sonia to help them run their government. Then they will not have to fight for the illegals here because they won’t be illegal anymore. And Sonia can be the smartest Hispanic female here, just ask her.
shemp….I agree but Im going to try to stop her. I’m driving my friends , family and neighbors nuts talking about it, I think I’ve got everyone convinced, even a lot of dems see what is happening with the illegals but can we out vote hispanics?
I have to agree with you, Shemp. It is the racist, LaRaza mentality. Her office is close to where I live. Like all the good Dems, she didn’t read the TARP, or the “Stimulus” Bills, but voted for them, putting us into perpetual debt!
The politician panders for their boodle, and they think nothing of America’s future. You know what is a trip? Robert K. Dornan used to hold that office. The party of the hand out is now in charge.
I’m a Hispanic…that no good for nothing does not represent me…she can’t even keep track of a credit card
I have to agree with you, Shemp. It is the racist, LaRaza mentality. Her office is close to where I live. Like all the good Dems, she didn’t read the TARP, or the “Stimulus” Bills, but voted for them, putting us into perpetual debt!
The politician panders for their boodle, and they think nothing of America’s future. You know what is a trip? Robert K. Dornan used to hold that office. The party of the hand out is now in charge
Actually the clothes Sanchez purchased were 2 traditional Vietnamese dresses for campaign events. Who knows what kind of statement she was trying to make? I find her demeanor offensive to everyone.
Gee,….where are all the sanchez loving posters?
Move there and run against her if you feel so strongly about it.In a democracy,people are free to vote for whomever they wish,even though it may upset you.
Before anyone accuses me of excusing Sanchez and attacking Palin over clothes expenditures,forget it.I didn’t object to Palin because she spent campaign money on clothes.I opposed her because she lacked experience and intelligence.
As for Sanchez,I won’t back her for governor because I prefer Brown or Newsom.
Palin lacked intelligence???? Even she is not stupid enough to vote for Brown or Newsom.
You say Palin is inexperienced. Give me a list of how much experience Obama had. Let’s see only a couple of months in the Senate, no foreign policy experience, no budget experience… he is running the country into the ground. Check the budget crisis in Alaksa, uhhhhhhhhh, nope they don’t have one. Imagine that… AND don’t blame it on Bush - Obama has been given the chance to fix things and oppps - we are in more trouble than before.
Great question Fran!
What a two faced son of a “”b!tch “”she bad mouthed Sarah Palin just like all the rest of the worthless want something for nothing democrats.
You only have to look at what the symbol of the Democrat Party is to know that Democrats are just a bunch of dysfunctional jackasses. Have a nice day.
casaeclosed—If you are talking about me,I am a man and Palin is undeniably a wacko.She was ill-prepared to be vice-president and now proves it by bailing out of her obligation to finish her term as governor.She is a quitter and condemns herself by her actions more than I ever could.
As for Brown or Newsom,get ready…one of them will be the next governor.
You have no regrets about Obama?
You’re no man mensarino. You’re a fan of Obama’s and a fan of MSMBC. You just repeat what those idiots say. So that makes you a wacko.
If ALL candidates were required to follow ALL the rules and laws we wouldn’t have so much problem with ethic violations. But since she got off for this you know she will try something bigger and better next time. Loretta has a background of lying and it started when she didn’t even live in the area that she represents. When she started she claimed her parents rental house that she had never lived in was her full time residence.
You live in an idealistic world. Do you follow ALL the rules?
Just like Barbara Boxer … Democrat - Rep. Loretta Sanchez has “earned the right” to use campaign money as she sees fit. After all she a an elected Hispanic-female Congresswomen who serves her Mexican community, if the Hispanics in her district approve (and they do) … then it is not the concern of any other voter constituency or group.
Mensarino, Brown or Newsom? I didn’t realise you were that far gone - I mean left. Sanchez I could live with. I doubt a liberal will make it with the current attitude towards taxes, unions, and handouts but you never know.
I knew Mensa Rino would be here before long.
I guess it’s tough to look like a Hot Chick these days!! I’m sure she will look much better, as Palin, when running for Governor. Can I deduct my good look clothing on my tax return? All I can say is that most, if not all, politicians, are hypocrites and are siphoning our net income away. They only care about being elected to some taxpayer funded job, at any level of government. We have sunk into the quagmire we deserve by not being fiscally responsible, government and individuals.
Doesn’t surprise me.
Do the crime, get caught and repay and say sorry. Seems to be the way of politicians.
There are many here that are getting racial, partisan and just nuts.
Why aren’t we discusing the issue?
Did she buy the clothes for a political event?
If the standard is if she would purchase this item as a non-political candidate, what expense can you exclude.
If I was a candidate and held a fundraiser at a nice resturant that as a an “average joe” I would not visit is this not the same thing.
Plenty of examples of candidates of both parties doing this stuff even though many comments don’t acknowledge this.
Even the way this story is written seems suspect.Why write GOP candidates when writing “Republican candidates” of (R) would balance out this reporting.
I CANNOT stand any politician who spends MEGA tax payer money on clothes, haircuts, trips, etc. I don’t care if it’s Sanchez, Edwards, Palin…democrat or republican…these people have NO integrity and we wonder why the economy of the U.S. or CA for that matter is in shambles.
Judy Chu’s win is another reason why I think Sanchez could lose her seat in congress.
“Chu became the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress. She won a special election — with nearly 62% of the vote”
“She won this election in much the same way she posted earlier victories — expanding on her Asian base (about 13% of voters in the congressional district) to win support among Latinos (who make up almost half of the registered voters in the district)”
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-judy-chu16-2009jul16,0,2984735.story?track=rss
I will vote for Van Tran! Not because Sanchez has been careless about campaign funds, but because she voted for the so-called Stimulus Plan without even reading it. She will go along with anything the Democrats put forth, simply because she is a politician looking out for herself. Watch her vote for the Tax and Trade and a nationalized Health Care Plan in spite of the fact both will cost us trillions in taxes . These two programs should wipe out thousands more businesses and the jobless rates will soar. Congress has never been more irresponsible.
All I see on this blog are scared white people.
Warren—-Chu is a very liberal democrat.If someone challenges Sanchez who is more liberal than she is they will have my vote.What you won’t do is beat her from the right.
Popcorn—-My only regrets about Obama are that he has moved to the middle on many issues.
Too bad I didn’t start reading these blogs when W. Bush was in office, supported blindly by legions of GOP voters. Following right into the financial mess that he got us into. Bill Clinton: Surplus, Bush: Largest deficit ever.
Oh, sorry. Back on topic: How about each politician gets a stipend for clothes. After all, suits are their uniform - it is not like they can wear jeans to work…
There are no political parties, there are only people who wish to be controlled and people who have no such wish. All other considerations are varying degrees of public theft.
It just goes to show you that politicians are really good at spending other peoples hard earned money.
I am sure some welfare case in Santa Ana turned their weekly government check over to the Sanchez campaign last year…only to have that money go towards her wardrobe.
So if you and I violated the law we would go too jail or fined.
Sanchez believes she is a GOD and above the Law.
Sanchez does not believe she is GOD, she believes she is GOP!
Wasn’t Van Tran’s wife indicted a few years ago for insurance fraud?
I saw the Sanchez sister’s pushing their new book on leftist Jim Doti’s show one Sunday. IMO Loretta has the facial features and general aura of an alcoholic. I’ve seen lots of alcoholics over the years and they seem to have common physical and body language characteristics. I don’t know if Loretta is an alcoholic but that is one of the first things that struck me about her appearance for what it’s worth.
Of course your political leanings have absolutely nothing to do with your eagerness to share this tawdry little insight.
Is Art the Looney Tune Pedroza infecting this blog, again? He should be playing in his own little sand box over at the rotten Orange Juice.
Bixby/Sanchez cheated to get elected and now she steals from the very people who support her. Why don’t you folks take up a collection and pay the funds back for her. Just think of what she would do if she was elected govenor.
Sanchez has been mis-handling her contribution funds buying sexy dresses? ………. we need to ask for our polititical donation money back NOW!
She makes me upset.
Probably uses campaign funds to make house payment, for her sister too.
Normally I would agree with most of you, but don’t you need to look nice when campaigning?
Not with other people’s money. When I buy clothes I don’t leech off others. Loretta should follow my example.
Van Tran’s wife was indicted for insurance fraud! What will she have the campaign buy her during this election cycle. Sanchez’s mistake was less than 200 dollars.
Why don’t we start writing about more important things. This is old news and small potatoes.
Mistake?
Using the money from the political account to shop at Fashion Island?
A) Is she a teenager?
B) Was she drunk in day light?
If the answer is no for both questions …..than she is a fraud.
Loretta needs to send her donor’s money back to the people before wasting it at a 5 star hotel dancing party.
Sanchez for mexican only, not vietnamese, not white.
back off you guys.
Maybe we should be thankful she is wasting campaign money on clothes. That is all the less money for ads etc. to promote herself.
Let all of us remember this when she runs for election again.
Please imbed this in your brains for the next election