Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington -- CREW -- has released what is says is an exhaustive study of payments made to relatives of members of Congress from all 50 states, including Kansas and Missouri.
Rep. Lacy Clay of Missouri is smacked in the introduction for paying nearly $300,000 to his sister's legal firm.
Here's what they say about other local members:
Rep. Kevin Yoder R-Ks.: "Rep. Yoder’s campaign committee, Yoder for Congress, reimbursed the congressman and his wife.
"Kevin Yoder (self): During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Yoder’s campaign committee reimbursed Rep. Yoder $10,649 for meals, travel, office supplies, and other unspecified expenses.
"Brooke Yoder (wife): During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Yoder’s campaign committee reimbursed Ms. Yoder $448 for hostess gifts and unspecified expenses."
Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Ks.: "Rep. Jenkins’ sister is a registered lobbyist in Kansas, and lobbied state government while Rep. Jenkins was the state treasurer and a trustee of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.
"Natalie Haag (sister): Ms. Haag is a lobbyist in Kansas on behalf of the Security Benefit Corporation, an insurance and financial planning firm where she is a vice president and director of governmental affairs."
Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., currently a candidate for the U.S. Senate: "Rep. Akin’s campaign committee, Todd Akin for Congress, paid Rep. Akin’s son’s fiancée and her sister salaries.
"Abigail Carman (son’s fiancée): During the 2008 election cycle, Rep. Akin’s campaign committee paid Ms. Carman $8,422 in salary. During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Akin’s campaign committee paid Ms. Carman $43,820 in salary.
"Alicia Carman (son’s fiancée’s sister): During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Akin’s campaign committee paid Ms. Carman in salary."
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.: "Rep. Cleaver’s campaign committee, Cleaver for Congress, reimbursed his wife.
"Dianne Cleaver (wife): During the 2008 election cycle, Rep. Cleaver’s campaign committee reimbursed Ms. Cleaver $11,336 for unspecified expenses.
"During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Cleaver’s campaign committee reimbursed Ms. Cleaver $13,831 for travel and unspecified expenses."
Rep. Vicky Hartlzer R-Mo.: "Rep. Hartzler’s campaign committee, Vicky Hartzler for Congress, reimbursed the congresswoman and her husband.
"Vicky Hartzler (self): During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Hartzler’s campaign committee reimbursed Rep. Hartzler $15,035 for travel, postage, food, flowers, and other expenses.
"Lowell Hartzler (husband): During the 2010 election cycle, Rep. Hartzler’s campaign committee reimbursed Mr. Hartzler $1,320 for postage."
Nothing was reported for Rep. Sam Graves.
