Williams is facing calls for an investigation for allegedly using House resources for political purposes, failing to list financial assets, and failing to disclose multiple non-federal positions
Brandon Williams is facing new scrutiny today amidst allegations that the vulnerable New York congressman violated multiple House ethics rules.
Williams is facing two complaints for “using official resources for political purposes and not complying with certain financial disclosure requirements.”
His list of violations has continued to pile up in less than one term in office, with Williams already facing criticism for missing his PFD filing deadline and neglecting to request an extension last year.
DCCC Spokesperson Nebeyatt Betre:
“Robbing voters of critical information is nothing new for Brandon Williams, who has made a habit of deceiving his constituents. These latest allegations make even more clear to Central New York and Mohawk Valley voters that Williams needs to go.”
A Democratic activist is asking the Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate Republican U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams for allegedly committing multiple violations of House ethics rules.
Shirley Knop, an Oneida County Democrat, filed two complaints accusing Williams, R-Sennett, of using official resources for political purposes and not complying with certain financial disclosure requirements.
In one complaint, Knop provided 41 images that show Williams’ campaign reposted content originally published on the congressman’s official House social media channels. This included videos of committee meetings that Williams attended in an official capacity and photos of him on the Capitol grounds.
According to House ethics rules, members cannot share posts from an official social media account to a campaign account unless it has been “exhausted.” Because the original posts are still available on the official account, they would not be considered exhausted.
Separately, Knop accuses Williams of filing his financial disclosure form nearly one month late in 2023. House records show the disclosure, which was due on May 15, 2023, was not submitted until June 10. An extension, which would’ve allowed him more time to file the paperwork, was not requested.
Knop raised other concerns about Williams’ financial disclosure. She alleges that he failed to disclose non-federal positions he held during 2022 — the year he was elected to Congress. His LinkedIn profile lists two positions he held for parts of 2022 — director of CPLANE.ai and managing director of IgniteIP — that were not included in his filing.
Williams, Knop says, also failed to list the underlying assets of a 529 college savings account on his candidate and new filer disclosure forms. The account’s value is between $15,001 to $50,000, according to Williams’ filing, but the financial disclosures must include underlying assets if they are worth at least $1,000.
Kedric Payne, vice president, general counsel and senior director of ethics for the Campaign Legal Center, reviewed the complaints and agrees with Knop that Williams violated ethics rules.
Regarding the financial disclosure, Payne noted that Williams disclosed his ownership interests in CPLANE.ai and IgniteIP, but did not list his positions with those companies.
“It could be an easy explanation for that, but it is information that is required,” Payne said.
It’s common for candidates and members of Congress to request an extension before the May 15 deadline to submit financial disclosures, according to Payne. Records show Williams received two extensions before filing his financial disclosure in 2022 when he was a congressional candidate.
But in Williams’ first year as a member of Congress, he did not seek an extension. Without an extension, Payne explained, you are required to file by the May 15 deadline.
Payne also agrees that Williams should have disclosed the underlying assets in his 529 college savings plan.
On the social media complaint, Payne said House proceedings cannot be used in campaign materials. There isn’t a “blanket rule,” he continued, that allows campaigns to repost what’s been published on official channels.
“Maybe these were rookie mistakes,” Payne added. “But there are indications that he should’ve known the rules.”
