Former GOP Sen. Larry Craig Ordered to Pay $242,000 for Improper Use of Campaign Funds

Former GOP Senator Larry Craig

You may recall the tale of former Republican Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, who had to retire from the Senate after being busted in an airport bathroom stall during a 2007 sex-sting.

Yesterday, a federal judge ruled that Larry “Wide Stance” Craig has to pay the U.S. Treasury $242,000 for the improper use of campaign funds during his legal defense.

Craig incurred the legal costs after seeking to withdraw his guilty plea to one count of disorderly conduct at the airport during a layover from a return flight to Washington from his home.

In the current legal action, Craig argued that Senate rules permit reimbursement for any costs while on official travel. But the Federal Election Commission filed suit, saying Craig converted the campaign funds for personal use in violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District agreed.

“The Court finds that defendants violated the FECA when they converted campaign funds to pay for legal expenses related to Senator Craig’s efforts to withdraw his guilty plea, which was a personal matter that was not connected to the Senator’s duties as an officeholder,” Jackson wrote.

At the time of the arrest, the Washington Post was able to ascertain that - judging from what sources told us were the usual arrival and departure gates for his flights — Craig strolled past four bathrooms at the airport before choosing the one where he was eventually busted. It just happened to be the one an airport official deemed “the biggest hotspot” for sexual encounters.

Oh - it should be noted that during his 28 years in Congress, Craig voted against the LGBT community 100% of the time. He had a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign.