19-3824

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Sanford Bishop

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Sanford Bishop Exhibits 1 of 3
OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Sanford Bishop Exhibits 2 of 3
OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Sanford Bishop Exhibits 3 of 3

On February 10, 2020, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. Sanford Bishop.

Nature of the Review

Rep. Sanford Bishop's campaign committee, Sanford Bishop for Congress, reported campaign disbursements that may not be legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes. If Rep. Bishop converted campaign funds from Sanford Bishop for Congress to personal use, or if Rep. Bishop's campaign committee expended funds that were not attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes, then Rep. Bishop may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Rep. Sanford Bishop may have improperly spent a portion of his Members' Representational Allowance (MRA) on annual holiday gatherings held in his District. If Rep. Bishop spent MRA funds on annual holiday celebrations, then Rep. Bishop may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

OCE Recommendation

The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegation concerning Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr. because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Bishop converted campaign funds from Sanford Bishop for Congress to personal use, or Rep. Bishop's campaign committee expended funds that were not attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes.

The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegation concerning Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr. because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Bishop spent a portion of his MRA on annual holiday celebrations.

Committee Action

On July 31, 2020, the Committee on Ethics released a statement indicating it would continue to gather information necessary to complete its review. The Committee published the OCE report and findings and announced the allegations would be further reviewed pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a).

On December 30, 2024, the Committee released a statement announcing it determined not to take further action regarding this matter and considered it closed.  Additionally, the Committee updated existing guidance regarding personal use of campaign funds and recordkeeping requirements.