Boehner, Buchanan, to fundraise in Sarasota

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota (Pic via Facebook)

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, is set to appear at a fundraising event this weekend alongside Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, the three-term Florida Congressman currently embroiled in several ongoing investigations.

Via The Hill:

The March 3 event will benefit Boehner’s fundraising committee, according to an invitation obtained by The Hill, and will take place at a private residence in Sarasota, Fla., Buchanan’s hometown. Supporters will pay a minimum of $500 per person for the reception and as much as $10,000 per couple for a chance to take a photograph with the Speaker.

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The March fundraiser is being organized by Boehner for Speaker, a joint fundraising committee that includes the NRCC, Ohio Republicans and Friends of John Boehner political action committee.

Boehner’s political spokesman, Cory Fritz, said Boehner was glad that Buchanan would be able to join him on Saturday.

“The Speaker appreciates Congressman Buchanan’s hard work on behalf of the NRCC to ensure Republican members and candidates have the needed tools to compete and win in November,” Fritz said.

Fellow Republicans have continued to express confidence in Buchanan, despite a series of ongoing investigations into his Congressional campaigns and business dealings.

In December 2010, the Federal Election Commission filed suit against one of Buchanan’s former car dealerships and a former business partner for allegedly reimbursing employees who donated to the Congressman’s 2006 and 2008 campaigns with car dealership funds.

Though the FEC didn’t file suit against Buchanan himself, the allegations eventually became the subject of an investigation by both the Department of Justice and the Office of Congressional Ethics.

The House Ethics Committee is also examining Buchanan’s failure to disclose numerous financial interests and management positions in Congressional filings.

The New York Times recently reported that the federal inquiries surrounding Buchanan appear to be widening. According to the Times, “agents for the F.B.I. and the Internal Revenue Service recently contacted former employees alleging financial improprieties by Mr. Buchanan, who owns a number of auto dealerships throughout Florida and elsewhere and is one of the richest members of Congress.”

Buchanan currently acts as vice chairman of finance for the National Republican Congressional Committee.