[The One and Only...]

February 4, 2004 -- Call it the politics of personal enrichment.

No wonder the Rev. Al Sharpton - finishing way back in the pack yesterday in South Carolina, just weeks after being handed a hefty $5,500 fine from the Federal Election Commission - is so committed to his presidential campaign.

That's where the money is.

Sharpton's records show that his campaign's biggest billing client may well be - Al Sharpton.

The reverend was paid $31,243 for "fund-raising reimbursement" and other expenses.

Which is interesting, considering that the campaign hasn't even raised that much money.

Plus, Sharpton is owed another $91,000 in "reimbursement expenses" and $19,799 in "reimbursement services" for credit-card purchases.



Nice work if you can get it.

It's quite clear what's going on here: Sharpton is using the campaign to funnel money to himself.

The irony is that the campaign is broke - with barely $7,000 in the bank - but the Rev will likely see a payday.

He's hoping to hang around long enough to qualify for federal matching funds so that tax dollars will flow to his campaign - and on into his pockets.

None of this should surprise, coming as it does after reports of Sharpton's use of the campaign to treat himself to high-priced hotels and other travel perks around the country.

Al Sharpton is running another scam.

If the FEC lets him get away with it - well, shame on the FEC.




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