WASHINGTON — Under fire from both the right and the left, the Republican National Committee is investigating how and why it spent nearly $2,000 for “meals” at a bondage-themed strip club in West Hollywood featuring topless dancers simulating lesbian sex.
The GOP confirmed Monday that it reimbursed a California consultant for $1,946 spent at Voyeur, a high-end bar/lounge that’s described on one website as “classic slutty.”
“It was obviously improper for more than one reason,” said party spokesman Doug Heye. “It was not a sanctioned RNC activity. It was improper because of the venue.”
He said the party will get its money back from Erik Brown, the president of Orange County-based Dynamic Marketing Inc., who submitted the bill for reimbursement.
Brown, who couldn’t be reached for comment, has worked for Republicans including California gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner. His firm also maintains an office in Washington.
Brown socialized in the past with Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, but RNC aides said that Steele was not present at the strip club.
Democrats pounced on the report, first revealed by the website .
Conservatives questioned it as well, led by the group Concerned Women for America.
“Did they really agree to reimburse nearly $2,000 for a bondage-themed night club?” asked the group’s chief executive, Penny Nance. “Why would a staffer believe that this is acceptable, and has this kind of thing been approved in the past?”
