Michael Steele And RNC Spent 2K At “Bondage-Themed Nightclub” (Update)

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by Steve Krakauer | 12:38 pm, March 29th, 2010

» 13 comments

It’s been a month of “explaining” for RNC Chairman Michael Steele – and there’s likely to be more coming.

The Daily Caller reports on some excessive spending from the RNC (and Steele personally), including nearly $2,000 at a “bondage-themed nightclub.”

Here’s some of the Daily Caller’s report:

A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

Let’s go to the Republican ‘please avoid’ checklist: Hollywood? Check. Bondage-themed? Check. Topless women? Check. Lesbian sex? Check.

Needless to say, although Steele wasn’t talking to the Daily Caller, his spokesperson is already speaking out against the “erroneous” report. A spokesman tells National Review:

We are investigating the expenditure in question. The story willfully and erroneously suggests that the expenditure in question was one belonging to the chairman. This was a reimbursement made to a non-committee staffer. The chairman was never at the location in question, he had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location at all acceptable.

There’s more in here that just doesn’t look good. $17,514 on “private aircraft in the month of February alone” (and another $12,691 on limos), compared to zero from DNC Chair Tim Kaine in the last three months. And now, according to the story, Steele wants to buy a private jet.

This story is continuing to break – MSNBC has teased an upcoming segment, but it has yet to be mentioned on the three cablers. That will change, and we’ll update as it does.

> Update: Here’s MSNBC’s report on the article during the NoonET hour, with Jonathan Strong commenting about his reporting:

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Bondage, Michael Steele, Republican National Committee, Republicans, RNC, Strip Clubs

http://www.uselessbeauty.com Vidiot

This was a reimbursement made to a non-committee staffer. The chairman was never at the location in question, he had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location at all acceptable.

If “the use of committee funds at such a location” was unacceptable, then why was the reimbursement made at all in the first place?
jihadikiller

Not so fast. It would appear this story is being de-bunked:

http://is.gd/b5piq
http://www.uselessbeauty.com Vidiot

That’s not a de-bunking; the response you point to was included in the National Review story and quoted above.

I still wonder — even if wasn’t Steele that was at the nightclub — why the RNC would reimburse someone for dropping two grand at a location at which it was unacceptable to use committee funds.
fanofamerica

Reaffirms that my decision years ago to send funds directly to preferred candidates rather than a national level group was the right move. Based on the same theory that I trust my local/state government to have my best interests in mind and do a better job with my tax money than I do the federal level bureaucrats.
Nachi

Ahh yess! More GOPster family-values, born-again Christians and patriots. “Walkng In The Footsteps Of
THE MASTER.”
Snipzor

Well at least this explains Sarah Palin’s dominatrix outfit… seriously, what was she thinking?! I know I know, but this is just as good a place as any to ask the question.
dhg

Those who are without sin should cast the first stone.People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Never were these two clitches more appropriate as Dems run to attack a at best iffy story about a republican staffer.

Both parties have squandered public and party funds and resources for decades and have acted like kooks.

If anyone wants to do something about it…vote out all incumbents.
PureFreedom

Not so fast everyone,
I just saw it was not steele and was never even close to the area Typical liberal journalism that did not do there homework.
…. It was a different person who submitted the expense report. they also found out the DNC spent alot of money at a similar club. hmm lets see if you will report that also.
the visionary

while this is embarrassing for the RNC, how bout talking about the extreme waste of nancy pelosy’s spending since she is a public figure and being funded by taxes instead of donations
timzank

I don’t care if he did it or not, he’s not an elected official and if the RNC see’s fit, they can can his ass.
Taz

Michael Sleele (D)
pyrope

Michael Steel MUST resign. He is an embarrassment to himself and the Republican Party. I intend on writing him a letter suggesting that he do just that. It’s not that “everyone does it” that matters, it’s that he used funding provided by Republicans to enjoy this kind of lifestyle, and by doing so, he is showing that he is no better than the Democrats whom he is all so ready to excoriate.
murphy0071

Steele will steal the money in style with a RNC jet. It will show Americans who has the most luxury toys. Do these Republicans have no shame?