The Republican National Committee late Monday night announced that RNC Chairman Michael Steele has fired a staffer who went to a bondage-themed club with topless dancers in Los Angeles using $2,000 in committee funds. (TPM’s coverage of the issue is here and here.)
Here is a statement from RNC communications director Doug Heye.
At the outset, Chairman Steele was not at Voyeur West Hollywood. He had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location acceptable. While some in the press have suggested Chairman Steele was at the venue, he was not and no proof has been offered that he was. When the expense was incurred, Chairman Steele was on United flight # 0084, returning from the RNC Winter Meeting.
Upon finding out of the expenditure this morning, Chairman Steele demanded the committee get to the bottom of this matter immediately.
The committee has taken appropriate steps to address the issues relating to the reimbursement of certain expenses. First, as reported, the expenditure in question will be recouped by the RNC. Second, appropriate personnel actions have been taken and accounting and reimbursement processes are being revised to ensure that such an action cannot reoccur. We recognize the difficulty this incident has caused and assure our members and supporters that any necessary and proper remediation is being implemented immediately.
It is unfortunate that a loyal GOP donor who has recruited other donors became involved in this incident while merely trying to help what turned out to be the improper request of a staffer who is no longer with the committee.
