Campaign Funds for Birthday Party - Security Detail
I am writing to request a review of a potential campaign finance reporting and expenditure issue involving the committee “Eley for Newport News City Council – John: Committee.”
Based on publicly available information, there appears to be a possible use of campaign funds for what may have been a personal event rather than a bona fide campaign-related activity.
Summary of Concern:
On March 19, 2026, the committee reported an expenditure of $100 to Apiffany Quran with the description “Photo Booth.”
On March 19, 2026, the committee reported an expenditure of $720 to Scorpio Brown and $300 to Samuel McGill, both with the description "Security."
There are 2 additional expenditures for the same day, March 19, 2026 listed for $600 to Daniel White with the description of "LED Wall Campaign Kickoff" and $300 to Kameera James with the description of "Campaign Kickoff Ballon Arch."
On the same date, the candidate publicly promoted and hosted an event described as an “All Black Birthday Celebration.” (Screenshots included)
The event was advertised as a ticketed social gathering featuring music, entertainment, and a dress code, with no clear campaign-related messaging (e.g., no reference to candidacy, public office, issues, or voter engagement).
The event materials and descriptions appear to characterize the gathering as a personal birthday celebration, rather than a political or campaign function.
Reason for Concern:
Under Virginia campaign finance law, expenditures must be for a legitimate campaign purpose and not for personal use. Based on the available information, the reported “Photo Booth” and "Security" expenses appear to be associated with an event that may have been primarily personal in nature and would likely have occurred irrespective of the campaign.
While it is possible the event had a dual purpose, the public-facing materials do not indicate a campaign function, which raises questions about whether campaign funds were used appropriately.
Request:
I respectfully request that the Department review this expenditure and determine:
Whether the March 19, 2026 event constituted a legitimate campaign activity;
Whether the reported expenses were appropriately classified and permissible under Virginia law; and
Whether any additional documentation (e.g., invoices, event materials, or internal records) supports the campaign-related nature of the expense.
I respectfully request that my identity be kept confidential to the extent permitted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please let me know if any additional information is needed.
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I have screenshots from Facebook, Eventbrite and VPAP (showing Security as an expense) - they are not copying/pasting here, but can email them if needed. None of his posts state anything about this being a campaign event that also had a fashion show as part of the night - all a red flag.
He is also planning an event in Kiln Creek on July 18th - will be monitoring VPAP for any expenses listed.
Since reported to the Dept. of Elections, the VPAP register has changed slightly in how listed.
Key Points
- Candidate's birthday party event may have used campaign funds for personal expenses
- Virginia campaign finance law prohibits personal use of campaign funds, but the law does not go into effect until July 1, 2026
Investigation Leads
- Verify campaign finance reports and expenditures for the candidate's committee
- Review event materials and descriptions to determine if they indicate a campaign function
Evidence 4
Submit Evidence for 3YQLCF
The factual groundwork of the letter—the matching dates, individuals, vendors, and public event promotions—is highly accurate and verifiable through VPAP and event platforms. However, the legal basis for the complaint relies on a campaign finance restriction that was not yet active at the time of the March 2026 event. Consequently, while the expenses may indeed be tied to a personal celebration, they are unlikely to trigger a violation or penalty from the Department of Elections for that specific timeframe.
Legal Context: Virginia Campaign Finance Law
The core legal argument in the complaint relies on the assertion that Virginia law strictly prohibits the personal use of campaign funds. This claim requires significant context regarding recent legislative timelines in Virginia.
The Letter's Claim: "Under Virginia campaign finance law, expenditures must be for a legitimate campaign purpose and not for personal use."
The Reality: This legal claim is premature regarding the date of the event.
Historically, Virginia was unique in that it did not prohibit candidates from using campaign funds for personal expenses, provided those expenses were properly disclosed. While the Virginia General Assembly did unanimously pass legislation (HB 2165 / SB 1002) during the 2025 session to finally ban the personal use of campaign funds, this law does not go into effect until July 1, 2026.
Important Note: Because the expenditures in question occurred in March 2026—prior to the July 1, 2026 effective date—they fall under Virginia's prior campaign finance framework. Under that framework, the personal use of campaign funds by active campaigns was legally permissible as long as the expenditures were itemized and reported.
