Follow Us

Democrat James Clyburn's campaign paid grandson over $86,000 in 'management' fees, filings show

It is legal for federal politicians to use campaign money to pay family members, but ethics experts generally frown upon the practice.

Published: February 5, 2023 11:56am

Updated: February 5, 2023 5:45pm

South Carolina Democrat Rep. James Clyburn paid his grandson more than $86,000 in "campaign management" fees and over $50,000 in rent to a company run by his son-in-law during the 2022 midterms, according to federal election filings. 

Clyburn, former House Majority Whip, paid his grandson Walter A. Clyburn Reed $7,000 a month from December 2021 until the 2022 election, with the exception of one month where Reed received only $3,500, Federal Election Commission data shows. From October 2021 until November 2022, Reed received $86,500 in "campaign management" fees for his grandfather's campaign, according to data. 

Other federal filings show that Clyburn's campaign paid 49 Magnolia Blossoms LLC $57,500 in rent. Clyburn's son-in-law, Walter A. Reed, is the registered agent of the company, according to South Carolina business records reviewed by Fox News Digital.

It is legal for federal politicians to use campaign money to pay family members, but ethics experts generally frown upon the practice. Clyburn's campaign did not respond to Fox's request for comment.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Just the News Spotlight