A year-long investigation into how Pennsylvania lawmakers obscured nearly $3.5 million in campaign spending from 2016 through 2018. • Spotlight PA

Big Spending, Little Accountability

This series was a winner of the John V. R. Bull Freedom of Information Award from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation, and a finalist for a national 2019 IRE Award as well as the 2020 Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Political Reporting.

About our Big Spending, Little Accountability coverage

A year-long investigation by The Caucus and Spotlight PA that found Pennsylvania lawmakers, operating under some of the weakest campaign finance laws in the country, obscured nearly $3.5 million in campaign spending from 2016 through 2018.

Oct. 22, 2019

The most powerful lawmaker in the Pa. Senate, Joe Scarnati, dined at the St. Peter Stiftskulinarium restaurant in Austria in September 2016 and charged $246 to his campaign account. State law requires campaign money to be used for “influencing the outcome of an election,” but what qualifies is largely open to interpretation.

Lavish dinners, sports tickets, and nearly $3.5 million in other expenses by Pa. lawmakers you’ve never seen

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Mike Wereschagin, Brad Bumsted, Paula Knudsen, Sam Janesch and Alyssa Biederman of The Caucus

A year-long investigation uncovered other purchases, too: foreign trips, limos, fine wines and liquor, country club memberships and even a DNA test kit.

Nov. 12, 2020

The campaign of outgoing state Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati is appealing the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking thousands of dollars from two news organizations who requested records of his campaign spending.

Top Pa. senator’s campaign revives lawsuit against journalists over public records fees

by Mike Wereschagin of The Caucus

Oct. 25, 2019

State Sen. Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) is pushing a sweeping campaign finance reform bill that would, among other changes, ban using campaign cash for personal use and require candidates to better describe their expenses on public forms.

Citing Spotlight PA/Caucus probe, top lawmaker pushes limits on campaign donations, stricter disclosure rules

by Sam Janesch, The Caucus and Angela Couloumbis, Spotlight PA

Oct. 25, 2019

Reporters for The Caucus and Spotlight PA spent a year requesting and analyzing thousands of credit card statements and receipts for Pa. legislative campaigns to uncover examples of lavish and outlandish spending.

The 10 most extravagant or bizarre campaign expenses by Pa. state lawmakers

by Brad Bumsted and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Oct. 24, 2019

A top aide to Senate leader Joe Scarnati, Shelly Brown, charged thousands of dollars worth drinks and meals — including a visit to Mangia Qui in downtown Harrisburg — to Scarnati's campaign credit card, despite having no official role with the campaign.

She’s paid by taxpayers. So why is top Pa. Senate aide wining and dining on a campaign credit card?

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Alyssa Biederman of The Inquirer

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