RNC dismisses finance chief, deputy

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican National Committee's finance director and his deputy were forced out Friday, the latest victims of a scandal involving reimbursements for donors who attend a lesbian bondage-themed nightclub in Los Angeles, California.

RNC chief of staff Michael Leavitt sent an e-mail message Friday to committee members telling them of the latest changes in the fundraising department and promising better stewardship of donors' dollars heading toward crucial congressional elections in November. A longtime Republican fundraiser, Mary Heitman, was expected to be announced later as the replacement for finance director Rob Bickhart and his deputy, Debbie LeHardy.

Their dismissals were the second and third top committee officials fired by Michael Steele, the chairman, who continues in his position despite the brouhaha that followed reports of the California episode.

Steele was not present at West Hollywood's Voyeur night club on Jan. 31 when a group of young Republicans ran a tab of almost $2,000, which was picked up by the RNC. After reporters noted the bill in a funding report, Steele dismissed chief of staff Ken McKay. One of Steele's top advisers, Curt Anderson, quit committee's circle of consultants.

Allison Meyers, a staffer blamed for the outing, also lost her job. The committee said it would be reimbursed by a donor who had attended.

After the first reports of the trip to the sex-theme club, an internal audit found "significant deficiencies" in RNC operations. That report said the tab from Voyeur was reimbursed with a forged signature but reported it was "questionable" whether finance director Bickhart had reviewed the reimbursement.

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