So the thousands of dollars @SenatorReid reported as "holiday gifts" to FEC were paid to his granddaughter in CA. FEC has sent a letter. 1/2
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) March 25, 2014◼ Reid paid granddaughter for "holiday gifts" to give donors, supporters - Ralston Reports
The Federal Election Committee has sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's campaign, asking for more information on why he listed an expenditure of more than $11,000 $16,000 in "holiday gifts."
The gifts, I have learned, were purchased from his granddaughter, Ryan Elisabeth Reid, who is a jewelry vendor in Berkeley, CA. The gifts were later passed on to donors and supporters, a Reid spokeswoman told me.
Reid's granddaughter is listed only as "Ryan Elisabeth" on the FEC report, which is attached here (see page 166). But her full name is Ryan Elisabeth Reid.
When I saw her name and did some resarch, I found the last name and asked Reid's office on Monday if she were a relation. I got nothing and later was told " it is a jewelry company/vendor."
Yes, one who happens to be named Reid.
After the Review-Journal's Steve Tetreault speculated publicly Tuesday that the vendor might be Reid's granddaughter, I asked again. This time, her identity was confirmed....
Update, 2:30PM: Reid will reimburse campaign: "I thought it would be nice to give supporters and staff thank-you gifts that had a personal connection and a Searchlight connection, but I have decided to reimburse the campaign for the amount of the expenditure.”
UPDATE: ◼ Harry Reid v. FEC Update: More Campaign Payments to Granddaughter Revealed, Total Rises to $31,000 - Washington Free Beacon
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) reacted swiftly to revelations that his campaign had purchased $16,786 worth of “holiday gifts” (for donors) from his own granddaughter, announcing that he would personally reimburse his campaign for the cost of the trinkets. Reid also angrily rebuffed a reporter’s question about the questionable campaign activity, chiding him for describing the amount as $17,000. “Sixteen [thousand dollars], but whatever,” Reid snarked.
Well, Reid looks awfully silly now that previous campaign documents have turned up almost $31,000 in payments to Ryan Elizabeth Reid for “gifts for supporters.” But whatever.
