Chad West the openly gay incumbent council member is under fire for spending public funds on his personal matters. Critics have pointed out that Crew Club D.C., a gay bathhouse in Washington, D.C., costs $139.52.
The cost of the bathhouse, according to Chad West, was incurred because he was with a “major contributor” from the Victory Fund, a group established in 1991 by activists to aid LGBTQ+ political candidates.
“We stopped by there beforehand and went to dinner afterwards,” West said. “I was in DC on city business. Obviously, it was not appropriate to use city funds on that, and we were talking all night about politics, so it was very much campaign-related.”
However, according to city records, West categorized the amount as “supplies” when he filed the report. The Texas Ethics Commission received a complaint about the expenses from an internet influencer.
According to papers examined by KERA News, state officials did not impose any civil penalties for the expenditures.
Chad West argues that he is not the only one who spends this way. Other elected officials have used campaign funds for comparable circumstances and occurrences. West wonders if these criticisms of his spending campaign are homophobic.
“I have done that many times at other types of establishments that are not gay…but doesn’t call out,” West said. “And, you know, my question is why? Like, why is it a challenge to spend money at a gay establishment in another city versus a straight establishment in that city?”
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