FACT Calls for Investigation into Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for Potentially Converting Campaign Funds to Personal Use

Nearly $5 Million Spent After Leaving Office Raises Serious Concerns Under Federal Election Law

Washington, D.C. — March 10, 2026 — Today, the non-partisan ethics watchdog, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust(FACT), filed a complaint requesting the Federal Election Commission (FEC) investigate and take appropriate action on Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema and her principal campaign committee, Sinema for Arizona, for potentially converting campaign funds to personal use in violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA).

Sinema was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2018, and announced on March 5th, 2024, that she would not seek reelection. Her term ended in December 2024. Despite no longer being a candidate or officeholder, Sinema’s campaign committee spent nearly $5 million in the first three quarters of 2025 alone.

While former Members of Congress are permitted to use campaign funds for limited “winding down” expenses after leaving office, federal regulation strictly limits such expenditures to a six month period and prohibits the conversion of campaign funds to personal use. Campaign funds may not be used to fulfill any expense that would exist irrespective of the individual’s campaign or official duties.

The complaint details numerous expenditures that appear unrelated to campaign activity or the lawful winding down of an office, including: 

• $10,051.56 for “event catering expense[s]” and “catering supplies” at a variety of wine retailers;

• $1,300 on “security protection equipment” at Ed’s Gun Shop;

• $800 for “makeup artist” and “makeup services”;

• $9,131.83 on resorts located in Beverly Hills, Montauk, Wyoming Ski Country, The Grand Canyon, and Washington D.C.;

• Nearly $180,000 in air travel-related expenses.

  
  

Both the timing and nature of these expenditures raise serious concerns under federal law. The volume and character of the spending extend beyond any permissible winding-down activity and suggest potential conversion of campaign funds to personal use.

“Campaign funds are not a personal bank account. Spending nearly $2 million after leaving office, particularly on expenses that appear unrelated to campaign activity or official duties, raises serious concerns under federal law. The FEC should thoroughly review these expenditures and determine whether campaign funds were unlawfully converted to personal use.” said Kendra Arnold, Executive Director of FACT. 

A full copy of the complaint can be found HERE.

FACT is a nonprofit organization promoting accountability, ethics, and transparency in government and civic arenas. For more on FACT, visit: http://www.factdc.org

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