After being queried by the Federal Election Commission, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is offering to pay back nearly $17,000 in “holiday gifts” purchased from his granddaughter for donors and supporters, reports
Ralston Reports, a website run by Nevada journalist Jon Ralston.
Reid purchased the gifts from Ryan Elisabeth Reid, 23, who had a jewelry business, though the granddaughter was listed only as Ryan Elisabeth on the FEC report.
The FEC
sent a letter to Reid’s campaign, asking for additional information on the expenditure.
Reid has issued a statement saying he “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.”
According to CNN,
Reid bought coasters, picture frames and other trinkets -- each item valued at about $50 -- with themes from Reid’s hometown of Searchlight, Nevada.
Ryan Elisabeth Reid is the oldest child of Harry Reid’s oldest son, Rory Reid, who ran unsuccessfully to become governor of Nevada in 2010,
The Las Vegas Sun reports. Her jewelry website -- www.ryanelisabeth.com -- is defunct.
Ralston reported that when he initially asked Reid’s campaign about whether Ryan Elisabeth was a relative of the senator, he was told only that “it is a jewelry company/vendor.”
Reid’s campaign says it complied with FEC rules. The FEC is demanding an explanation by April 25.
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