Republican facing ethics probe -- 'substantial reason to believe' he misused campaign funds: report

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) found there is "substantial reason to believe" Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS) converted campaign funds for his personal use, The Washington Post reported Monday.

The OCE released a 47-page report on its initial investigation.

"The probe was prompted by a complaint last March from the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center, which accused Palazzo of using his campaign contributions as a 'personal slush fund through which he paid 'himself and his spouse nearly $200,000,' including $60,000 in rent to his own farm," the newspaper reported. "In its report, the OCE said that it had found 'limited evidence of campaign use of the property, especially to justify $60,000.00 in rent and thousands of dollars of additional charges to maintain the home and improve its marketability."

Read the full OCE report.