Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., has spent more than $150,000 funding parties, baseball games and dinners for his friends and donors in Washington, an analysis of campaign-finance reports showed.
Since 2011, Yoder has used his leadership political action committee, YoPAC, to throw parties for his friends where costs for entertainment and booze have run into the tens of thousands of dollars, according to Federal Election Commission reports.
In all, Yoder, who drew national attention in 2012 when he apologized for an alcohol-fueled skinny-dip in the Sea of Galilee, has spent $154,454 through his PAC on parties, dinners and gifts for his donors since becoming a member of Congress, all in the Washington area, according to FEC reports.
Leadership PACs are common vehicles members of Congress use to funnel contributions to colleagues and other candidates for office.
In May 2017, Yoder threw a rooftop bash at Washingtonâs Willard Hotel, a four-diamond luxury hotel overlooking the Washington Monument and just blocks from the White House. Yoder hired Ed Lover, famous for being a host on the former show “Yo! MTV Raps,â to DJ for more than $6,000.
Politico reported that the party also featured the alcoholic cocktail âjungle juice.â Yoder has been throwing the party since 2010, with the 2016 edition featuring local â90s cover band White Ford Bronco.
Since 2012, Yoderâs PAC has spent more than $8,000 at Washington-area liquor stores and $13,050 on swag, including shirts, cups and beer cozies.
On top of parties, the PAC has paid for expensive meals at some of the capitalâs most tony restaurants.
In May, Yoderâs PAC spent $1,751 in one day at Roseâs Luxury, a Michelin-starred restaurant that Eater described as âthe hottest restaurant in D.C.â in 2015. Additionally, since 2012, the PAC has spent more than $3,000 at Washington Nationals games.