CNN’s Laura Coates Grills Nancy Mace On Report of House Ethics Probe Into Her Expenses: Would You Be ‘Open to’ a Full Investigation?

Fresh off her GOP primary win, second-term Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is coming under scrutiny over alleged reimbursements for her Washington DC townhouse — reportedly valued at more than $1.6 million.

In an interview on Laura Coates Live Wednesday, anchor Laura Coates grilled the congresswoman about a report from The New York Times which said the House Ethics Committee is looking into Mace’s reimbursements from the home. A New House rule allows members of Congress to be reimbursed for their food and lodging while they are not in Washington up to $34,000. Furthermore, they do not have to provide receipts for their expenses.

Mace co-owns the home with her former fiance and — per the Times report — is not allowed to seek repayment for the full costs associated with the home. (The Washington Post first reported on Mace’s filings).

On Wednesday, Coates asked the congresswoman about the reported probe.

“There is discussion whether an ethics probe is warranted based on the repayment or reimbursement of those fees that would be tied to home ownership,” Coates said. “What can you tell us about this investigation? Are you presently the subject of one?”

Mace denied knowledge of an investigation.

“I haven’t I haven’t heard anything about it,” she said. “So far, again, I’ve been focused on my race. But I will tell you, I follow all the ethics rules, and all of our ethics guidelines. I’m one of about 300 members of Congress that rely on lodging per diem to help us live in DC, to do our jobs.”

She added, “This was a last-minute Hail Mary hit job done the weekend before our primary on Tuesday. And it was very clear that voters saw it for what it was, and decided it wasn’t truthful and that I follow all the ethics rules.”

Coates pressed Mace on whether she would cooperate with a formal probe.

“You would be open to having, and being very open with the investigation?” Coates asked.

“Absolutely,” Mace replied. “There’s no reason not to.”

Watch above, via CNN.