State Senator Joey Fillingane is considering a run for embattled Congressmen Steven Palazzo’s seat. Palazzo is accused of 3 ethics violations, according to a report from the Office of Congressional Ethics.
https://ethics.house.gov/sites/ethics.house.gov/files/documents/OCE%20Report%20and%20Findings_1.pdf
During an interview on The Gallo Show on SuperTalk Mississippi this morning, Fillingane said what’s been out in the media is not good. “He’s obviously under House Ethics Committee investigation. We recently found this past week that he spent about $60-thousand in campaign funds hiring attorney’s to represent him in the investigation. While that may be legal, it looks horrible,” Fillingane said. “I mean, if you’re already under investigation for unwisely using campaign funds, then you have to spend another $60-thousand plus of those monies hiring legal counsel–lawyering up–to try to defend yourself. That sounds to me really, really bad.”
There are allegations that Palazzo used campaign funds to maintain his personal riverfront property in anticipation of sale. Documents also suggest that Palazzo may have asked official staffers to perform campaign work and personal errands during the congressional workday. There’s also evidence that Rep. Palazzo may have used his official position and congressional resources to contact the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in order to assist his brother’s efforts to reenlist in the military.
Fillingane says if it becomes an open seat, he’s very interested in throwing his hat in the ring. “Of course, we’re all innocent until proven guilty. So, I think we wait and see what the House Ethics Committee (investigation) looks like and see just how bad his actions were, or not.”
