Local politician used campaign money for high-end electronics

YAKIMA, Wash.  --  A local politician is in the spotlight for how he spent campaign money. State Representative Charles Ross bought high-end electronics for thousands of dollars. He said he used supporter contributions leftover after he was elected.     

Politicians try to raise as much money as they can to get elected. They often have money left over after the campaign. That money can be given back to donors or a charity, but State Representative Charles Ross decided to spend it.

Action News asked Ross if he felt what he did was wrong.

"Um no, I think the description of what the expenses are to be used for is very specific," said Ross.

State law states that surplus funds can be used to:

(1) Refund contributors
(2) Reimburse yourself for lost earnings as a result of the campaign
(3) Donate to charity, your political party or the state's general fund
(4) Spend it on public office-related expenses
(5) Leave it for the next election

According to records from Washington's Public Disclosure Commission, Representative Ross spent more than a thousand dollars on a new iPad last year even though the top model cost $700. He bought another iPad six months later for $900.

We asked what the $1,250 dollar bill for the iPad covered.

"Well it paid for the actual iPad,” said Ross. “It paid for the protective screens. It paid for the hundred dollar tax."

He said he spent the remaining $450 on accessories and insurance. The spending didn't stop there.
In 2010, he spent $1,800 on a new computer and more than $2,000 for his car. Ross said all that money falls under office-related expenses.

"I opted a long time ago not to have a taxpayer provided office in district,” said Ross “So, I operate on those computers."

He said he uses his car to travel.

"I would hope that people still believe that it's better for us to use a donation dollar to provide those computers and expenses than it would to use a tax dollar," said Ross.

Ross is a Republican who represents Naches in the 14th legislative district and is the state house minority leader. Representative Ross isn't the only state lawmaker using campaign contributions after the campaign.