[redinIllinois]

” The story is a lame-brained hit job. If Nunes was using these funds for personal benefit, that’s illegal. But if “fund raising expenses” are indeed the explanation, they are straightforward. There’s nothing wrong, for example, with holding a fundraiser at a winery. My guess is that this is fairly routine for a California politician. So you pay the winery. That’s not a scandal. “

That’s probably even a bargain, under the circumstances :)

[sphinx]

His PAC, called New PAC, has also footed the bill for lavish Las Vegas events since 2013, spending a total of $42,741 on catering, rentals, hotels and meals, McClatchy reported. The most recent Las Vegas expenses were noted in March, when the group sent $7,229 at seven restaurants and hotels, McClatchy reported, adding that the PAC spent thousands at six wineries in Paso Robles and Santa Margarita, Calif. The outlet also noted that the wineries are located outside of his congressional district. The PAC spent $5,000 one day on a limousine service. A separate $4,409 charge is listed for the Sea Venture, a beach hotel about 20 miles from Santa Margarita, McClatchy reported.

These prices are very modest if the PAC was holding events. It's impossible to evaluate them without knowing the character of said events. An elegant sit down dinner for ten major donors is one thing. A meet and greet reception for 150 of the congressman's closest friends is another. Bring in a speaker, provide entertainment, do a winetasting, whatever … reporters who write these kinds of stories have obviously never been involved with fundraising or event management.