Gone Fishing with Darrell Issa

As GOP congressman Darrell Issa’s seniority, power, and influence have grown in Washington, so has the bank account of his leadership political action committee, “Invest in a Strong and Secure America—ISSA PAC.” According to its most recent financial disclosure report, filed July 14 and covering the first half of 2011, the committee took in $84,909.74 and paid out $71,763.19, ending the period with $76,574.74 in the bank. Donors included the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, $5000; William Isaac, a consultant from Sarasota, Florida, $5000; the Recording Industry Association’s Mitchell Bainwol of Fairfax Station, Virginia, $1000; the Universal Music Group political action committee, $1000; Raytheon Company political action committee, $2500; Qualcomm Inc. PAC, $1000; Pitney Bowes Inc. PAC, $5000; and Microsoft Corporation PAC, $5000. Controversial San Diego private school operator Bridgepoint Education’s PAC kicked in $2500, and AT&T’s federal PAC gave $5000. In addition, the political action committee of cigarette-making giant Altria Group contributed $2500, and San Diego–founded defense contractor SAIC gave $2500.

On the spending side, the ISSA PAC paid $1000 in April and $2397 in May for a fund-raiser at Bertrand at Mister A’s restaurant in San Diego. Then, on May 24, Coastal Fishing Adventures in Encinitas got $1540 for charter and venue costs. The same date, the Salty Dog in Sarasota, Florida, got $631 for catering, and Sea Dog Charters in Marathon, Florida, was paid $440. Perhaps most interesting, Issa personally drew $3655.04 from the fund on May 24. His staffer Laurent Crenshaw received $1102.35 on the same date. Lawrence J. Brady, majority staff director of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which Issa chairs, was paid $1175, also on May 24. No purpose for the expenditures was disclosed.