Ethics Watchdog Finds Evidence Aide to Republican Rep. Mike Collins Misused Public Funds

Washington (BuzzReport)- A congressional ethics watchdog has found evidence that a senior aide to Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) may have misused taxpayer funds by arranging government employment for his girlfriend, who investigators say did not perform any work.

In a 33-page report released Monday, the Board of the Office of Congressional Conduct informed the House Ethics Committee that Brandon Phillips, a staff member in Collins’ office, is accused of using “congressional resources for unofficial or otherwise unauthorized purposes.” The board also found that Phillips may have improperly granted special treatment by helping retain an employee with whom he had a personal relationship.

The board unanimously determined that the evidence meets the threshold for a full investigation. If the allegations are substantiated, the report states, Phillips could be found in violation of federal law, House rules, and congressional standards of conduct.

The investigation centers on Phillips’ girlfriend, Caroline Craze, who was paid approximately $5,000 as a district intern, according to the report. Witnesses told investigators that Craze did not meet basic internship requirements.

“To my knowledge, she is not a student in a program which would be aligned for rules for an intern,” one witness said.

The report further concluded that Craze “never performed any duties in or for Rep. Collins’s District Office in 2023,” despite receiving pay from November 4 through December 31, 2023. Investigators also reviewed Instagram photos showing Craze with Phillips and former President Donald Trump before her social media account was set to private.

The board recommended issuing subpoenas for Rep. Collins, Phillips, Craze, and three additional individuals who declined to cooperate with the preliminary inquiry.

Phillips’ past has also drawn scrutiny. In 2022, he was arrested on animal cruelty charges after allegedly kicking a dog. He previously served as former President Donald Trump’s Georgia state campaign director. Earlier incidents reported by WXIA in 2008 included allegations that Phillips attacked a man, slashed vehicle tires, and threw a woman’s laptop. He later pleaded guilty to reduced charges of trespassing and battery.

WSB-TV has also reported that Phillips once faced assault and battery charges after allegedly pointing a gun at a woman.

The House Ethics Committee will now decide whether to proceed with a formal investigation. Rep. Collins’ office has not publicly responded to the report.