D.C. GOP Claims Council Members Misused Funds

The District of Columbia Republican Party is asking for an investigation of 10 council members whom it claims used their constituent service funds to make political contributions.

The party said in a letter to the district's Office of Campaign Finance that the council members violated guidelines governing the funds, which are generally used to help needy constituents. It pulled records that show contributions to local Democratic organizations from the constituent funds of 10 councilmembers.

Council member Mary Cheh said the GOP was wrong about the donations it said she made, saying she took back one contribution and that the other was made by her predecessor.

Council member Phil Mendelson said his contributions went toward scholarships sponsored by Democratic organizations and that he cleared them with the campaign finance office.