Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert has drawn the ire of the feds for not disclosing her husband's income from an energy firm.
Boebert's husband, Jayson Boebert, made $478,000 last year working as a consultant for "Terra Energy Productions."
Plot twist: No such company exists.
However, Terra Energy Partners, a Houston-based firm that claims to be "one of the largest producers of natural gas in Colorado," has a heavy presence in Boebert's district.
Boebert's campaign finance disclosure lists "Boebert Consulting—spouse," but lists Jayson Boebert's income as "N/A."
The Boeberts claimed that their income came from their restaurant, Shooters Grill, which lost $143,000 in 2019 and $226,000 in 2020.
Local news station KDVR and the Associated Press broke the story, reporting that
"Boebert did not report the income last year, when she stunned the political world by ousting incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton during the GOP primary in Colorado's sprawling 3rd district, which stretches from ski resorts to energy-rich basins in the state's west. Boebert went on to win the general election in the Republican-leaning district."
And soon after winning her election, Boebert began advocating against climate legislation, some of which would impact gas production in the long run.
When pressed for comment, Jake Settle, Boebert's press secretary, said that her husband "has worked in energy production for 18 years and has had Boebert Consulting since 2012."
He added:
""For any other questions regarding the congresswoman's finances, I'd refer you to the disclosure she filed."
Candidates and members of Congress are expected to disclose sources of income for immediate family members, as well as major investments and assets, in accordance with ethics and campaign finance laws.
The news Boebert might have deceived federal officials made her the target of withering criticism on social media.
The news comes the same week news outlets reported federal officials are probing Boebert's apparent personal use of thousands of dollars in campaign funds.
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) recently sent a letter to the treasurer of Boebert's 2022 reelection campaign announcing it is investigating Boebert's campaign after four Venmo payments totaling more than $6,000 raised red flags.
The letter reads in part:
"Personal use is any use of funds in a campaign account of a present or former candidate to fulfill a commitment, obligation or expense of any person that would exist irrespective of the candidate's campaign or duties as a federal office holder."
"Schedule B of your report discloses a disbursement that appears to possibly constitute personal use of campaign funds by the candidate."
The FEC noted it will "consider taking further legal action" in the event investigators determine any of the Venmo payments "constitutes the personal use of campaign funds."
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