In flip flop from 2018, House GOP accepts $770,000 cash infusion from former casino owner accused of sexual abuse
Desperate for cash, vulnerable House Republicans quietly took thousands in campaign donations from disgraced billionaire Steve Wynn, who was ousted from his namesake casino empire after several female employees accused him of sexual harassment and abuse spanning multiple decades.
Wynn’s contribution stuffed $5,800 each into the coffers of 59 House Republicans, including GOP Reps. David Valadao, Don Bacon, John Katko, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Garcia, Beth Van Duyne, Tony Gonzales, Young Kim, Michelle Steel, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Victoria Spartz, Ashley Hinson, and Maria Elvira Salazar. And many of those Republicans are taking the heat for it at home:
- MSNBC: Why the House GOP taking Steve Wynn’s money is so tough to defend
- Los Angeles Times: California Republicans take donations from casino mogul despite sexual misconduct scandal
- San Antonio Current: San Antonio’s 2 GOP congressmen took donations from disgraced casino mogul Steve Wynn
- Texas Tribune: National Dems Hit 2 Texas Republicans Over Steve Wynn Campaign Cash
- Importantville: Spartz Accepted Coin from Disgraced Casino Magnate
In 2018, Republican leadership decided prominent Republican donor Steve Wynn was so toxic that they rejected his campaign cash. That appears to have been a one-time deal.
DCCC Spokesperson Chris Taylor
“As alleged sex criminal Matt Gaetz and would-be founder of the white supremacist caucus Marjorie Taylor Greene take control of the Republican caucus, it’s no wonder the GOP has changed their tune on taking money from accused sexual predators like Steve Wynn. Every House Republican who took this disgraced campaign cash must either donate it to charitable causes or explain why they are willing to be bankrolled by accused abusers.”
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