McCarthy will return money donated by indicted associates of Giuliani

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will reportedly return campaign donations from two known associates of Rudy Giuliani who were arrested Thursday for violating campaign finance laws, Vice reported.

The House minority leader and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) both received considerable donations from Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, a pair of Ukrainian American businessmen.

{mosads}Parnas and Fruman were reportedly helping Giuliani, President Trump’s personal lawyer, put pressure on Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden.

The two were arrested and indicted Wednesday on charges of funneling illegal campaign contributions into a pro-Trump super PAC.

Parnas and Fruman also gave money to other Republican candidates, including $50,000 to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

McCarthy received $2,700 directly and an additional $11,000 went to Protect the House, a joint fundraising committee of which both McCarthy and the NRCC were beneficiaries, according to the news source.

“These contributions were made ahead of events sponsored by Protect the House, a joint fundraising committee that McCarthy helped form last cycle,” McCarthy spokesman Matt Spark told The Hill in a statement.

“The deception documented in today’s indictment has no place in our country and as a result, McCarthy plans to donate amounts received to a local charity.” 

A local charity has not yet been named.