RNC Fires Staffer who Expensed Trip to Bondage-Themed Club

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans

(Credit: AP)

The Republican National Committee has fired the staffer who charged the party committee for the nearly $2,000 bill from an outing at a topless nightclub, Politico reports.

The unnamed staffer was aware the outing was not eligible for reimbursement but nevertheless convinced GOP donor Erik Brown, a California businessman, to pick up the tab and seek out reimbursement, according to Politico. The trip to Voyeur in West Hollywood, a bondage-themed club featuring topless dancers, reportedly followed a RNC event for its "Young Eagles" donors.

Brown has reportedly agreed to pay back the funds.

The RNC said in a statements its "accounting and reimbursement processes are being revised" to prevent such occurrences in the future, Politico reports.

"The incident adds to Republican distractions in what would otherwise be a promising election cycle for the party," writes Aaron Blake of the Hill, noting a number of missteps from the RNC, such as a recent fundraising presentation that featured crude caricatures of Democrats.

The RNC spent about $15 million more than it raised last year, the Hill reports.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by tmittelstaed March 31, 2010 1:04 AM EDT: "...I'm sorry, this is a non- story. Some low echelon staffer pulls a fast one and all of a sudden libs turn it into a scandal of epic proportions..."

You would LIKE it to be a non-story.

The real question isn't why some low level staffer pulled a fast one.

The real question is *** were all those Family Values RepubliCONS doing at a strip club in the first place? Do you really suppose their wives knew they were there?; Reply to this comment


by SueZeeeQue March 30, 2010 11:17 PM EDT: Well if this doesn't prove that they're the family values party, I don't know what will.

lol!; Reply to this comment


by hillarynow March 30, 2010 10:13 PM EDT: It is pretty sad that it takes yet another embarrassment like this most recent corruption for people to remember all of the criminals in the Republican party. It wasn't long ago when the Bush administration produced more corrupt officials than any other in our Country's history. How soon people forget. Does anyone really think putting more of these scam artist Republicans in office will fix the USA? Obama and the Dems may be struggling to get things fixed, but at least they are doing everything they can, the Republicans will only destroy America further with their corruption. Vote Democrat in November if you know what's good for America.; Reply to this comment


by raydernation March 30, 2010 6:42 PM EDT: After all that posturing they been doing. Actually, they're showing thier true color. All these demonstrations, pouting at the State of The Union address shouting out and interrupting the President, and other legislators, forming a tea branch, trying to derail health care. All that was trying to save face for losing the White House, and, trying to get the publics mind off how they looted this country, the past 8 years. They're subversives, anybody who votes for a RepubliKKKan needs his head blown off.; Reply to this comment


by raydernation March 30, 2010 6:40 PM EDT: After all that posturing they been doing. Actually, they're showing thier true color. All these demonstrations, pouting at the State of The Union address shouting out and interrupting the President, and other legislators, forming a tea branch, trying to derail health care. All that was trying to save face for losing the White House, and, trying to get the publics mind off how they looted this country, the past 8 years. They're subversives, anybody who votes for a RepubliKKKan needs his head blown off.; Reply to this comment

by CBSisCommunist5 March 30, 2010 5:20 PM EDT

I am glad that Democrats dont do bad things like that.

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by brianbwb2011 March 30, 2010 6:44 PM EDT: Actually they probably do, but they don't make a core campaign strategy of condemning others who do it.


by warsux March 30, 2010 6:46 PM EDT: dems dont call themselves the family values party either.


by stn_sage March 30, 2010 5:08 PM EDT: Undoubtedly, another 'Christian, family values' event designed to teacher less experienced Republicans the values of debauchery, immorality, and self-indulgence!

And, 'WE' the public, are supposed to seriously consider these WACKOS as our representatives or potential representatives?!; Reply to this comment


by holalanemeir March 30, 2010 4:59 PM EDT: One thing for sure is those Republicans know how to party, you betcha!!; Reply to this comment


by thechooch1 March 30, 2010 4:16 PM EDT: Come on now, it was just Family Values training, nothing more.; Reply to this comment


by bruceben9 March 30, 2010 3:54 PM EDT: wow! these folks (republicans) just can't control themselves. they are starting to remind me of drug addicts. i mean come on people. wake up. ALL incumbents out!!!!! dems and repubs. let's take back our country. term limits NOW!; Reply to this comment