INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana Senate candidate who has railed against out-of-control government spending paid his brother-in-law nearly $170,000 to manage the finances of his congressional campaign. The relative worked as a car salesman and actor but had no experience rounding up political donations.
Marlin Stutzman is facing fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Young in Tuesday’s Senate primary.
Stutzman gave his relative, Gabe Rivera, an average of $5,000 a month from the campaign account for the nearly three years he served as finance director. That was about $800 a month higher than the salary paid to Rivera’s successor, who raised about $400,000 more for the campaign in six fewer months.
Stutzman told The Associated Press that he trusted his brother-in-law and business partner to “protect every dollar that comes from donors.”
