Bunning used campaign money to pay daughter
By Halimah Abdullah
HABDULLAH@MCCLATCHYDC.COM
WASHINGTON -- Over the past seven years, Sen. Jim Bunning has used campaign money to pay his daughter, Amy Towles, more than $138,000 to keep track of his elections' financial paperwork.
That's more than any other senator paid family members for similar work, according to a new report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a liberal government watchdog group.
While paying family members for such work is not illegal, watchdog groups say such practices should face tighter scrutiny.
"This at least raises questions about whether she is the most qualified person for the job," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the group. "People should ask themselves, 'When you give money to Jim Bunning, is that what you're giving it to, so he can pay his family?'"
The Kentucky Republican's staffers said Monday they aren't sure how much corporate experience Towles has in handling finances.
Towles began helping her father with federal campaign-related filings 14 years ago.
In 2001 she went on the payroll and received a $19,589.10 salary. Since then her salary has increased to roughly $25,000. Towles files her father's campaign finance paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, keeps track of financial records and has also served as a financial consultant for Bunning's political action committee, the Political Hall of Fame.
"There's nothing wrong or illegal being done here. This is perfectly legitimate," said Bunning spokesman Mike Reynard. "You want to have someone you trust to do the job right."
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