The optics couldn’t be worse for Rep. Luis Gutierrez.
The Democrat Illinois Congressman stunned Americans last week when he unexpectedly announced he would be retiring upon the completion of his current term.
Now the lawmaker faces criticism for the discovery that his wife, Soraida Gutierrez, collected over $430,000 from her husband’s campaign since 2010.
Mrs. Gutierrez is a registered lobbyist in the state of Illinois. She has been listed on the Gutierrez campaign payroll in the capacities of office manager, fundraiser, and treasurer.
This year, the Gutierrez campaign reported $77, 838.69 in operating expenditures from January to September. Of that, $42,000 went to Soraida Gutierrez in a series of seven $6,000 checks.
The high pay given to Mrs. Gutierrez far outpaces inflow of money. The committee has raised just $2, 812.86 from individual contributions this year. Other campaign activities have accounted for $17,000.
Soraida Gutierrez has consistently been the top recipient of cash from her husband’s campaign. She was paid $44,000 in 2010, $93,000 in 2012, $110,000 in 2014, and $125,856 in 2016.
Gutierrez’s daughters earned a combined $5,000 for fundraising and bookkeeping between 2004 and 2009.
Gutierrez has stirred controversy for his polemic attacks on Republicans.
In September, he called Chief of Staff John Kelley (a retired Marine Corps. general and Gold Star father) a “disgrace to the uniform” for his allegedly failing to help protect the status of DACA recipients. Gutierrez was later arrested while protesting outside Trump Tower in New York.
The Illinois Congressman said he’s retiring to focus on helping Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria. He has endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus Garcia to succeed him.
Finally, not soon enough one less incompetent #Democrat, @LuisGutierrez who does nothing but complain and be an obstruction is leaving. He is an embarrassment for #Hispanic people he won’t be missed. #tcot #ctot #tlot #CCOT
— Jose Amadeo (@joseamadeo) November 28, 2017
So this is what service to your country looks like?
Hmm?— NecktopPC (@NecktopP) November 28, 2017
He gave her a raise every year. What a nice man, too bad he’s not! #LockHimUp
— Beatrice Wylee (@twfreedom50) November 28, 2017
Nice scam you got going with your campaign funds, you handle them out to family.
— Ray Kozabowsky (@RKozabowsky) November 30, 2017
That’s what I call breaking the “glass ceiling!”
— OnlyTheLegendRemains (@kellystweeter) November 28, 2017
Good riddance. Another hypocrite gone.
— Carolyn Valk (@CCValk) November 28, 2017
Oops. I need to write a song about gravy trains drying up. Soooo muuuuch material to draw from. Hundreds of verses.
— BaitBoy (@PIB8buoy) November 28, 2017
I wish he’d go away, but we need to keep an eye on him…. He’s got something else in mind.
— Me (@Americasgarden) November 28, 2017
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