While the United States Department of Justice continues to look into possible violations of democratic banking laws, Arizona Democratic Senator Rubén Gallego is under new investigation for using campaign funds to pay for expenses like family trips, stays in luxurious hotels, resorts, and also tickets to the Super Bowl.

The New York Times ' report, which is based on financial records, FEC documents, and interviews with people with the situation, details a number of expenses that have been made since 2019 with money contributed by social supporters.

Although U. S. law permits some personal costs to be related to battle activities, ethicists warn that some of Gallego's payments may mix a moral line, even if some of them do not actually amount to a crime.

Among the costs under scrutiny are Disneyland, hotels, and family travel.

According to the research, Rubén Gallego's plan funded flights to destinations like Puerto Rico, Miami, Nantucket, Saint Barthélemy, and Disney's resorts for his wife, his children, and even the mother's nanny.

Additionally, records show that more than$ 20,000 was spent on Ritz-Carlton hotels,$ 26,000 on child care, and$ 37,500 on Super Bowl tickets.

The campaign spent more than$ 5, 000 on a family trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico during the year-end breaks between 2025 and 2026, which is one of the circumstances that attracted the most interest. The president's company claims that he met with prospective donors while on that trip.

Also, the campaign included travel to Disney World and Disneyland qualities where Gallego also participated in fundraising events put on by other legislators.

Throughout the course of the investigation, Gallego defends the costs.

The senator officially defended the use of the tools and assured that the journeys were connected to social and raising endeavors after the reports were released.

"Sometimes, I take my wife and children with me to these retreats and fundraising events. Are they held in elegant places? Yes, it's where the donors are, and it's part of the campaign," Rubén Gallego wrote on social media.

His office also rejected any misconduct and maintained that all expenditures complied with current law.

Additionally, the Senate Ethics Committee recently concluded that it found no evidence of violations of campaign finance rules, although that determination is independent of the investigation currently underway by the Department of Justice.

Experts question the use of campaign resources

Beyond the legal aspect, specialists consider that the case shows the existing gaps in the political financing rules in the United States.

Richard Briffault, a professor at Columbia University Law School and an expert on electoral law, questioned the fine line between proselytizing activities and personal benefits.

“It's really blurring the line between a campaign activity and a personal vacation,” he said.

For her part, Erin Chlopak, former FEC lawyer and director of the Campaign Legal Center, warned that the current rules allow a wide margin for campaign resources to end up financing personal expenses.

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