FBI Probes Use of Funds by Ex-FEC Aide

From Roll Call (subscription req) comes this report that seems to be the impetus behind the departures of several high profile staff members, including long-timer staff director James Perkhom.

The FBI is investigating allegations that a former top official at the Federal Election Commission tried to settle a sexual harassment complaint from a female staffer by attempting to misappropriate $100,000 in taxpayer funds last fall.

The investigation has embroiled at least a handful of FEC employees, each of whom has been put on administrative leave or no longer works for the agency, leaving vacancies in critical posts heading into the campaign season.

Adding insult to injury, the FEC is operating in the red

In addition, according to an internal management plan privately unveiled two weeks ago, the FEC is facing a $2.6 million shortfall — out of an original $54 million 2006 budget — that was caused in large part because of an overstaffing problem and has prompted the interim FEC staff director to recommend a hiring freeze. More than 20 percent of that shortfall was caused because of “settlement and legal services” costs associated with the employment discrimination case and the ensuing FBI investigation, according to the internal FEC memo.

Allison Hayward links to the FBI search warrant on Political Moneyline.

Um...yeah nothing to add.