Democrat Sanford Bishop spends lavishly at exclusive golf club under ethics probe.
A Democratic Congressman’s Controversial Spending Habits at a Private Golf Resort
A senior Democratic congressman has come under scrutiny for his campaign’s spending at an exclusive private golf resort, despite previous ethics investigations. Records reveal that Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) directed $36,800 in campaign funds to Green Island Country Club in June for various services, including facility usage, golf packages, and catering.
This latest payment to the Columbus, Georgia club raises concerns, as the Office of Congressional Ethics found in 2020 that Bishop had potentially violated federal law by spending over $90,000 at the establishment and others on fuel, golf expenses, meals, travel, tuition, and entertainment.
“Campaign donations should not be used as a tool for members of Congress to get access to swanky country clubs,” says Tom Jones, president of the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative watchdog group. “If they want to hobnob with rich neighbors, that should come out of their own pocket. Bishop’s continued use of funds at this country club urges investigation by the FEC.”
Since 2013, Bishop’s campaign has paid over $368,000 to Green Island Country Club, including membership fees and fundraising-related outings. The congressman admitted wrongdoing to OCE investigators after the nonpartisan entity issued its findings on Bishop’s spending habits. In July 2020, Bishop reimbursed his campaign over $66,300, and the House Ethics Committee approved a further investigation into his potential misuse of taxpayer and campaign funds.
Green Island Country Club, established in 1962, offers a range of amenities, including a Tiki Bar style Snack Shack, eight tennis courts, and five pickleball courts. The resort also features a fitness center equipped with top-of-the-line weight machines, free weights, and Matrix equipment.
“Members of Congress should not only avoid compromising situations but also the appearance of compromising situations,” says CEO Peter Flaherty of the National Legal and Policy Center, another right-leaning watchdog. “I think the congressman’s donors would have been disappointed if they found out what he was actually doing with their contributions.”
The June 2023 payment from Bishop’s campaign to Green Island Country Club was earmarked for fundraising purposes. Previous payments in 2022 and 2021 were also made for facility usage, golf packaging, and catering. According to a spokesman for the congressman, the 2021 payment covered costs for the Sanford Bishop Golf Classic, a specific campaign fundraising event held annually at the club.
Bishop justified his campaign payments at the resort by highlighting the opportunity to mingle with influential individuals, such as CEOs and retired executives. However, he also admitted to using campaign funds to subsidize his membership initiation fee in 2014, believing it was permissible. Additionally, an unnamed Green Island official revealed that some of the club’s amenities are not accessible to women.
“He worked cooperatively with the Office of Congressional Ethics on the issues raised about his campaign’s finance reports and took immediate corrective action,” says Bishop’s spokesman. “The Congressman proactively reimbursed his campaign and took other remedial measures. He has retained the services of an experienced compliance consultant and outside law firm to ensure full compliance.”
Bishop acknowledges the mistakes made by his campaign and recognizes the need for better oversight. However, neither Bishop’s campaign, the House Ethics Committee, nor the OCE have responded to requests for comment.
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