Bachmann to give away funds donated by ‘fraudulent’ vets charity

Rep. Michele Bachmann now says she’ll give away a contribution from the United States Navy Veterans Association (USNVA), a group charged with funneling funds intended for vets to GOP candidates and state parties. At least $35,000 of the now-defunct group’s funds came to Minnesota Republicans, including Bachmann, former Sen. Norm Coleman and the state GOP. Bachmann’s campaign told the Star Tribune today that she’ll be giving away $4,800 from the group.

USNVA is under investigation for fraud in five states, and as the Minnesota Independent’s Andy Birkey has reported, there’s no evidence that the $870,695 fundraised by the group in Minnesota over the past four years actually made it to the veterans groups USNVA claimed to be helping.

Early last week, Bachmann’s campaign “froze” its donation, but the Strib reports that Bachmann now says she’ll give money from a fundraiser with Sarah Palin this year to two groups, the Minnesota Military Appreciation Fund and the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp.

Others accepting funds from USNVA or its on-the-lam leader, Bobby Thompson  –  the Republican Party of Minnesota, the Minnesota House Republican Campaign Committee and David Carlson, a Minnesota Senate candidate in Eagan — have not responded to the Minnesota Independent’s query about whether they’ll return or re-gift the funds.

Update: The Star Tribune now reports that the Republican Party of Minnesota will also give away its USNVA contribution.