FBI investigating Dem who allegedly paid opponent to drop out

A Democratic lawmaker is reportedly under investigation for false statements, conspiracy and campaign fraud.

Rep. Robert Brady’s (D-Pa.) campaign allegedly paid $90,000 to his 2012 primary rival in exchange for his dropping out of the race, the Daily Beast reported Tuesday, citing an FBI affidavit.

Brady has not been charged with a crime.

A search warrant in the case was unsealed Monday in a Pennsylvania federal court. In the warrant, an FBI agent sought access to Brady’s personal email account, stating it may contain evidence of a conspiracy to cover up the payoff scheme.

The document, which Seamus Hughes, a former government intel policy officer, posted on Twitter, lists Brady’s rival Jimmie Moore, Brady and three others as potentially being involved with the crimes.

Let’s break some news: A sitting member of Congress is being investigated by the FBI for false statements, conspiracy, and campaign fraud. They got a search warrant for his email and believe he’s lying. pic.twitter.com/YyT6WDABkX

— Seamus Hughes (@SeamusHughes) November 21, 2017

An aide for Moore admitted her role in the payoff scheme in July, and pleaded guilty to conspiring to conceal it, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Asked in July whether his campaign paid $90,000 to Moore, Brady said it was years ago and that reporters would have to talk to his campaign officials.

“Whatever they did, I don’t know,” he said.