Gowdy Returns Donations Linked to Anti-Hillary PAC
As Trey Gowdy continues to defend the Benghazi Committee from accusations that it’s gunning for Hillary Clinton‘s presidential run, the chairman has decided to return three donations he received after they were tied to a provocative anti-Hillary ad.
The Washington Post reported yesterday about Gowdy’s past connection to Dan Backer, who served as treasurer on Gowdy’s leadership committee before taking up the same mantle for a group of conservative PACs.
One of those organizations is Stop Hillary PAC, which aired an ad during the Democratic debate that blasted Clinton’s alleged ignoring of calls for extra security before ending with a shot of ambassador Chris Stevens‘ grave. Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya who was killed in the Benghazi attack.
Backer also serves now as treasurer for the Conservative Action Fund, Special Operations Speaks PAC and Tea Party Leadership Fund, each of which gave the Benghazi Committee $2,000.
Jamal Ware, a spokesman for the committee, noted that Gowdy never received any funds from the Stop Hillary PAC itself, but said that the money from the other PACs affiliated with Backer have been returned. Ware defended Gowdy by saying he “has made every effort possible” to ensure the investigation remains impartial to Clinton.
“The memories of our lost fellow citizens should not be used for fundraising, nor should their families’ suffering be exploited,” Ware said. “If you hear Trey Gowdy, Benghazi and donate in the same message, Mr. Gowdy would personally encourage you to ignore the request.”
[h/t TPM]
[Image via screengrab]
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