A state campaign finance audit shows Rep. Jeremy Durham invested money from his campaign, his political action committee and his personal bank accounts into the company of well-known Republican donor and activist Andrew Miller, reports the Tennessean.
Miller, who was scrutinized in 2014 after another GOP lawmaker invested money in his company, confirmed Monday he’s been contacted by the state about Durham’s investment.
The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, an entity within the state Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, is investigating whether Durham, R-Franklin, used his campaign funds for personal use or anything else that would be deemed a violation of state law.
“Yes, the state did contact me for clarification on an investment Jeremy’s campaign made. I have provided them that information and they seemed satisfied with our response,” Miller said in an email to The Tennessean.
On Monday, Drew Rawlins, executive director of the bureau, confirmed Miller’s company had provided information. Rawlins said Miller provided details about the amount of money Durham had invested in the company, along with the payouts Durham received from those investments.
Tennessee law states candidates can’t use campaign funds for personal purposes.
…When asked Monday if the information pertaining to these investments showed any illegal activity by Durham, Rawlins said, “We are still looking at it, so I can’t really say yet.”
On Monday, Nashville defense attorney Peter Strianse confirmed he is representing Durham in relation to an investigation by local U.S. Attorney David Rivera into Durham’s use of campaign finances and a possible tax violation. Durham has received two subpoenas, Strianse said. Late Monday, Miller said he has not been contacted pertaining to the federal investigation.