Scandal-hit former Rep. Tony Gonzales’ campaign and an associated political committee paid $54,350 to two companies managed by his wife after he resigned in disgrace, the San Antonio Express-News reported in an exclusive Wednesday.
Both businesses were registered after the Texas Republican stepped down this spring. Neither appears to have a website, and both list the same address as his campaign committee — apparently a San Antonio UPS store just seven minutes by car from Gonzales’ house, according to the newspaper.
“I've never seen a case where these steps were taken before, especially with the timeline they were taken in,” Jordan Libowitz, a spokesperson for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, told the Express-News.
Federal filings show payments to Adulting Consulting and Casagrande LLC between April and September. Gonzales’ wife, Angel Gonzales, is listed as manager of both companies.
“Neither company appears to have a website,” the outlet reported Wednesday. “In their incorporation documents, they each include the same generic business description.”
Libowitz questioned why two newly created businesses run by Gonzales’ wife were receiving payments for apparently similar work.
The disgraced Republican’s campaign told the newspaper that its spending complied with federal law but did not explain the specific services the companies provided.
“As the campaign transitions from active status there remain ongoing administrative expenses to include but not limited to compliance requirements, storage, data management, and others,” it said in a statement.
Paying family businesses is permitted, but campaign committee payments must cover legitimate, necessary services at standard commercial rates, Issue One’s Michael Beckel told the Express-News.
Gonzales resigned following bipartisan backlash over an affair with a staffer who died by suicide. His campaign committee still holds roughly $197,000, while his leadership PAC has about $200,000, according to the newspaper.