Mike Johnson hit with new accusation showing ‘clear-cut violation’ of federal law

House Speaker Mike Johnson has been accused of using campaign money to pay his rent in what the government watchdog group Campaign Legal Center described as a “clear-cut violation of federal campaign finance laws,” newly filed complaints allege.

In two separate complaints filed this week with the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Congressional Conduct, the watchdog group alleged that Johnson and his campaign committee used campaign funds to pay for the top House Republican’s personal rent for his residence in Washington, D.C.

The use of campaign funds for personal expenses is strictly prohibited under campaign finance law.

“When elected officials use campaign contributions for such personal expenses, they enrich themselves and undermine the public’s trust in their elected officials and the campaign finance system,” the complaint reads.

“House rules require Speaker Johnson and other members to verify that campaign funds are used for legitimate campaign expenses.”

Johnson is currently residing at the residence of his Republican colleague, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who told Semafor in late April that the speaker was “a friend and needed a place.” Issa purchased the home earlier this year for $1.5 million from former Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), whose estimated net worth has exploded to more than $45 million since being elected to office in 2018, and is among Congress’s most successful and lucrative stock traders.

The complaint detailed five campaign fund disbursements of $2,500, or $12,500 in total, for “rent” to Greene Properties Inc., which is owned by Issa. Given that the disbursements made no mention of the rent being for office space or other legally permitted expenses, the watchdog alleged that the records indicate Johnson “violated FECA by converting campaign funds to personal use.”

Johnson's previous residence in Washington, D.C. was a $3.7 million townhouse that doubled as a "ministry center" run by Tennessee pastor Steve Berger, a powerful ally of Gov. Bill Lee who resigned from his church’s board after allegations that he failed to act on child abuse claims.