Feds probe spending of GOP front-runner in Fla. Senate race

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Now that Republicans have made him the U.S. Senate front-runner, Marco Rubio is trying to weather potentially damaging revelations about his credit card use, double billing for airfare and murky finances.

A few months ago, the former Florida House speaker seemed unlikely to beat Gov. Charlie Crist in the party's Senate primary. And in those months, Rubio's lavish spending has come under scrutiny of federal investigators.

Yet his poll numbers have soared, carrying him well ahead of Crist and forcing the once seemingly unbeatable governor to consider running as an independent for Senate. Crist has until Friday to decide.

The federal investigation of Rubio's spending comes as the Republican National Committee and its chairman, Michael Steele, draw ridicule for excessive expenditures, including a nearly $2,000 bill to entertain campaign donors at a Hollywood club featuring simulated bondage and lesbian sex.

Spending by Rubio and other GOP officials who cast themselves as fiscal conservatives opens them to charges of hypocrisy in a state hard-hit by recession. Republicans see the potential for significant gains in this fall's congressional elections. But the feud in Florida, combined with questionable spending habits, could temper their prospects.

Questions have arisen about fundraising for and spending from two political committees Rubio formed as House speaker to benefit House candidates. The Miami Herald and St. Petersburg Times reported that little of the money raised went to candidates and some of it benefited Rubio's relatives.

Under scrutiny are credit cards issued to Rubio and 27 other GOP leaders. The Internal Revenue Service is looking into the spending.

Rubio charged nearly $110,000 to the party-issued card during his time as House speaker. Among the charged items were repairs to Rubio's family minivan, grocery bills, plane tickets for his wife, and retail purchases.

Campaign aides have said the charges were legitimate. But Rubio recently sent the party a check as reimbursement for personal airline flights he said were mistakenly charged to the GOP credit card. Rubio blamed the expense on an accounting error.

He acknowledged he made personal purchases on his party-issued card but said he paid those bills out of his own pocket. Other spending, he said, was "for legitimate political purposes."