Washington, D.C. – Today, Politico is out with a new story about the latest concerns surrounding Senator Raphael Warnock’s very unusual financial arrangements that allowed him to make nearly $90,000 extra dollars, TAX-FREE, on top of his Senate salary, book deal money, etc.
More:
“Warnock’s opponents are zeroing in on a unique $7,400 monthly housing allowance he receives as pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. The stipend amounts to nearly $90,000 in income that appears to far exceed his housing costs back home, money that’s exempt from income taxes, according to IRS rules…
In his first year after taking office, personal financial disclosures show he doubled his annual income to $541,965 — including his $174,000 Senate salary, payments of $120,964 from Ebenezer that include the housing allowance, $243,750 as a book advance and $3,251 more in book royalties.
It is not unusual for senators to see their wealth grow once taking office or to earn money from book deals. But Republicans are also raising questions about Warnock’s salary arrangement with Ebenezer, where he remains employed as senior pastor…
Warnock last year was paid $7,417 monthly toward his housing costs, a figure roughly double his estimated total monthly mortgage payment, based on information Warnock provided on his financial disclosure…
Campaign finance records show that in the seven-month period ending in March 2021, Warnock used campaign funds for $61,000 in childcare expenses. That includes a nanny service and reimbursement for $11,800 in childcare he’d previously paid for out of pocket.”
TL;DR: Raphael Warnock doubled his income upon entering the U.S. Senate and received a tax-free housing stipend worth double his mortgage payment which amounts to nearly $90,000.
Statement from NRSC Spokesman T.W. Arrighi: “No one has taken to the ‘perks’ of being a U.S. Senator more than Raphael Warnock. To say this massive housing allowance is suspect is a big understatement. Raphael Warnock has done exactly what he used to gripe about: enriching oneself in the Senate.”
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