The bribery scandal of Congresswoman Marie Newman created a shocking new turn

The scandal engulfed Congressman Marie Newman — accused person sign and then renew about a paid contract to a political opponent not against her — took a shocking new turn. Federal campaign records show that after a secret settlement with an opponent, the Illinois Democrat did in fact put him on the payroll of her campaign.

In October 2018, Newman allegedly signed a contract with Iymen Chehade promising him a cozy six-figure salary on her congressional staff in exchange for his political support, according to reports. Office of Parliamentary Ethics (OCE). When Newman ultimately failed to hire Chehade after she won the 2020 election, he sued.

The two reached an undisclosed agreement over the summer. But, as it turns out, that’s not the end of the story.

Newman’s latest FEC filings show that she hired Chehade as a foreign policy adviser—rather than being paid through her congressional office, Chehade was hired through Newman’s campaign.

Chehade has received a total of $54,000 since the second half of 2021, mostly in salary installments of $7,500 a month, but sometimes with an additional $2,000. According to FEC filings, disbursements to Chehade began on July 1, 2021, just two days after both sides reached an agreement to settle the lawsuit.

That salary appears to make Chehade the highest-paid employee of the congresswomen group during the application period, although Newman’s team now claims campaign director Ben Hardin has surpassed Chehade’s salary.

Either way, Newman’s campaign told The Daily Beast that Chehade, as their foreign policy adviser, is an “important member of our team.”

“As sometimes happens, Mr. Chehade and Marie had disagreements that led to a lawsuit in 2021. The two settled the case amicably last year and agreed to effectively move forward together.” Hardin said in a statement.

Hardin added: “Democrats should see this for what it is – an out-of-the-box tactic by the right to create a scandal.

The campaign declined to comment on whether Chehade’s employment was part of a settlement this summer’s lawsuit.

Newman does not serve on any foreign policy committees in the House of Representatives, although she has partly blamed her 2018 failure to oust Dan Lipinski then on a lack of knowledge of the issues. Israeli-Palestinian issue. Still, the campaign to hire a foreign policy adviser, especially a top-paid employee for any length of time, is highly unusual.

However, the position makes sense in this regard: In the contract Newman signed, Chehade was listed as a foreign policy adviser.

In a four-page “employment agreement” copied into the OCE report, Newman and Chehade accepted that he would be hired as a foreign policy adviser and would hold that position for as long as Newman remained. in Congress – as long as Chehade doesn’t “seriously violate” contractual provisions such as working 40 hours a week. Newman also agreed to pay Chehade between $135,000 and $140,000, with “cost of living and salary increases” applied annually thereafter.

But as the OCE reports, “Chehade’s policy expertise isn’t the only reason she’s going to sign him in the future. Rep. Newman may instead be pushed to enter a deal to avoid competing with Mr. Chehade in the next Democratic primary. “

While Newman told OCE she had never had any discussions about Chehade’s interest in running for the same seat as Newman, the OCE found an email from Chehade to Newman outlining the terms. the draft clause of the contract, specifically this main provision:

“Chehade agrees not to publish or submit its candidacy for Congressional Representative for Illinois’ 3rd District. In return, Newman will hire Chehade as her Chief Foriegn Policy Advisor.”

Chehade announced his candidacy for a newly created neighborhood district in December. And after redistributing the district among themselves, Newman is running against another incumbent Democrat: the House of Representatives. Sean Casten (D-IL)

Regardless of any other clear evidence, Newman’s team is adamant that the ethics claim is futile. Complaints are initial submission by the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, an organization founded by Former President Donald Trump’s acting Attorney General, Matthew Whittaker.

The House Ethics Committee also emphasized in a press release in January that the complaint investigation process “does not by itself indicate that any violations have occurred”.

Contacted by phone on Tuesday, Chehade declined to comment on the payments or on the terms of his agreement with Newman. According to the OCE, as part of their settlement this summer, Newman and Chehade signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Newman was suitable to use Chehade in the role because of the ethics and evidence investigation against her regarding her alleged abuse. signed an incorrect agreement.