Watchdog Org Files Complaint With FEC Over O'Donnell

A popular watchdog organization has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission over Delaware’s Republican Senatorial candidate Christine O’Donnell’s spending habits.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) said in a statement Monday that O’Donnell, a tea party favorite who won an upset victory against moderate Mike Castle last week, illegally misused campaign funds.

“Christine O’Donnell is clearly a criminal, and like any crook she should be prosecuted,” CREW’s Executive Director Melanie Sloan said in a release. “O’Donnell has spent years embezzling money from her campaign to cover her personal expenses … thieves belong in jail.”

CREW says that it is basing its complaint off an affidavit filed by a former O’Donnell aide, who says that the candidate used over $20,000 in funds donated to her previous campaigns for personal expenses, including rent.

O’Donnell is running against Democrat Chris Coons. Her unlikely win last has cast doubt in some quarters over the Republican party’s ability to win the Senate this fall.