FEC draft advisory OKs Indiana Rep. Visclosky to use campaign funds for legal bills

FEC advisory OKs Visclosky to use campaign funds

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission has issued a draft advisory allowing Rep. Pete Visclosky to use campaign funds for the legal bills he’s incurring in the federal investigation of a now-defunct defense lobbying firm.

Visclosky was subpoenaed this month in a federal investigation of PMA Group, a since-disbanded lobbying firm that specialized in securing defense contracts.

In a request filed in March, Visclosky asked the FEC to allow him to use his campaign funds to pay for legal expenses incurred in the investigation.

The FEC’s advisory ruling says Visclosky can use his campaign funds to pay legal bills because the allegations relate to his campaign and his duties as a federal officeholder.