An investigative ethics watchdog group released a report today detailing what it says is a premier analysis of U.S. Senate members misusing their power to financially benefit themselves and members of their families.
Both Colorado Senators are named in the report, published today by the national organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (CREW) in Washington, D.C.According to the study, which examined campaign committee disclosure records from 2001 to 2006, Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard is listed as the top Senate contributor in the country for family reimbursements, giving a total of $49,931.97.
CREW outlines some of the expenditures in the report:
In 2006, The Changing Tide PAC, [an Allard leadership PAC], paid Sen. Allard’s daughter, Cheryl Smith, $4,550.00 in salary. Wayne Allard for United States Senate Committee also paid Ms. Smith a salary totaling $6,500.00 in 2006. In total Ms. Smith was paid $11,050.00.
In 2005, The Changing Tide PAC paid Ms. Smith a salary of $2,800.00.8 Also in 2005, Wayne Allard for United States Senate Committee paid Ms. Smith a salary of $4,500.00.9 In total for that year Ms. Smith was paid $7,300.00.
In 2004, Wayne Allard for United States Senate Committee paid Ms. Smith $4,500.00 in fees.
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar was also noted to have given money to family members and himself, although not at the same level as Allard:
