Legal expenses for Miller?

Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) paid about $12,000 to a law firm in his first quarter financial report, but it’s not clear what the money went toward.

Miller’s report lists the money, which went to the Orlando, Fla., firm Akerman Senterfitt, as “professional fees” and “professional services,” and not “legal fees,” so we don’t know if the money actually went toward legal assistance.

Problem is, the descriptors used by Miller’s campaign are labeled “inadequate purposes” by the Federal Election Commission, because they don’t provide enough detail. In other words, he’ll probably have to file an amended report.

Miller’s office has not responded to a request for comment.

Miller has come under fire by Democrats and ethics groups for his business dealings. In 2005, Miller used an earmark to shut down a local California airport, as one of his top contributors was set to develop the land. Several other transportation earmarks Miller requested were scrutinized for their proximity to real estate he and his contributor owned.

Miller has previously listed legal fees in his financial filings, but never near as much as $12,000.

It’s also not the first time he has listed “professional services” or “professional fees” on a report. He did so in his year-end report earlier this year, his post-general election report in December and his third quarter report last year