by Jenn Carter
Embattled Rep. Ilhan Omar is about to be hit with multiple campaign finance violations for illegally grabbing thousands in contributions for her own personal use, including to pay a divorce attorney.
And one report claims that she may be facing further, Federal charges, for as yet to be revealed “illegal financial activities.”
As Sinclair reporter James Rosen reported:
Authorities Monday morning completed investigations into two complaints concerning campaign finance violations against Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar.
“In referring Omar to the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board,
Rep. Steve Drazkowski alleged that Omar improperly spent close to $16,000 in campaign funds for personal use, including payments to her divorce attorneyand for travel to Boston and Estonia,” says the report.AdvertisementRosen notes that Drazkowski’s filings follow “an earlier episode in which Omar repaid $2,500 for honoraria she received for speeches at colleges that receive state funding, a violation of ethics rules for Minnesota lawmakers.”
“I had observed a long pattern,” said Drazkowski. “Representative Omar hasn’t followed the law. She’s repeatedly trampled on the laws of the state in a variety of areas, and gotten by with it.”
The Republican lawmaker maintained that Omar has been allowed to skate in the face of her controversial actions by strategically using her identity as a shield.
“There’s a political fear that people have of being called a name, being called a bigot, being called racist, being called Islamophobic,” he said.
Apparently Rep. Drazkowski has no such fear.
When Omar was questioned about the probe into the alleged finance violations on Thursday, she refused to respond. Earlier this year, the Democrat denied the alleged indiscretions, though the complaints were still unconfirmed to the public at the time.
The results of the investigations are expected to soon be released, Sinclair reports.
UPDATE: McClatchy News Services is reporting Monday night that Omar
is facing potentially far more serious Federal charges for “illegal financial activities.” Details of those potential crimes not revealed at time of report.
Despite her many controversies, Omar has become a key figure for the Democrat Party.
Omar, along with fellow Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, became America’s first Muslim congresswomen when sworn into office in January.
Her time in office has been embroiled in allegations of anti-Semitism — though Omar has defended the anti-Semitic statements, such as ones invoking Allah to expose Israel’s “evil doings,” and she is on record stating Israel is not a democracy.
She also gave an interview to television host Ahmed Tharwat, who referred to Israel as the “Jewish ISIS” and mocked how Americans speak about al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.
The Democrat has found herself under fire on more than one occasion for past and present comments she’s made about Jews and Israel. In March, for example, Omar suggested Jewish Americans have “dual loyalty” after she was criticized for past comments perceived as anti-Semitic.
“Lawmakers must be able to debate w/o prejudice or bigotry. I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel. I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful,” said Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), who is Jewish.
“Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman!” Omar responded on Twitter. “I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that!”
