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An embattled Arizona Democratic senator faces a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation after allegedly using campaign donations to fund lavish vacations with his family.
A source familiar with the investigation confirmed to Fox News Digital that Sen. Rubén Gallego, D-Ariz., is subject to investigation for possible violations of campaign finance laws.
A week ago, Politico reported that Gallego used campaign money on family trips to Miami, Saint Barthélemy, Disneyland, Disney World and Chicago. He also used funds to attend the 2023 Super Bowl in Arizona, but the senator insisted the tickets were a legitimate campaign fundraising expense.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., speaks to reporters as he addresses a vote at the U.S. Capitol on June 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Last week's report also said that the senator, who was just cleared Monday by the Senate Ethics Committee after a complaint about alleged campaign finance violations and suspected sexual misconduct, also used $18,000 in funds from his leadership PAC to reimburse himself for child care costs.
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Gallego downplayed the allegations in the Politico article.
“This is not breaking news,” he reportedly told the outlet. “With the rising costs of child care and the burden it places on the budgets of American families, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress and the White House regularly travel with their wives and children, as permitted by the FEC.”
Arizona Sen. Rubén Gallego defended Democrats' efforts to extend Obamacare subsidies. (Go Nakamura/Reuters)
On Monday afternoon, after the ethics complaints were dismissed, Gallego said they were simply “right-wing conspiracies peddled by far-right activists,” according to NPR.
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Less than a day after Congress acquitted him, the Justice Department investigation was revealed.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Gallego's office for comment.
Gallego was a close friend of former Democratic lawmaker Eric Swalwell of California, who was forced to resign from Congress after a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against him, including allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Many say the allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., were an open secret that went unreported for a long time. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Swalwell admitted making “mistakes” but denied allegations of criminal conduct.
The former congressman, who was running for governor of California at the time of his downfall, attended the 2023 Super Bowl with Gallego.
