The government watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint Thursday against Alaska Gov. and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and several other political operatives associated with the RNC, for spending $150,000 on clothing for Palin and her family, alleging  violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). 

According to news reports, the clothing and accessories purchases for Palin and her family included a whopping $49,425 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue, and a $75,062 spending spree at Neiman Marcus. A spokesman for Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign said Wednesday the clothing purchases were to accomodate different weather conditions on the campaign trail. The clothing will be donated to charity after the election, McCain said Thursday.

“It is ridiculous that the RNC would spend $150,000 to outfit a vice presidential nominee and her family at any time, but it is more outrageous given the dire financial straights of so many Americans and the state of our economy. As if that isn’t bad enough, the expenditures violate campaign finance law,” said Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW. “The FEC should investigate immediately.”

According to CREW, FECA specifically prohibits a candidate for federal office from converting campaign funds to personal use. 

“FEC regulations make clear that the prohibition applies to clothing purchases, such as those made for the Palin family.The RNC implicitly admitted that the clothing was purchased with campaign funds by stating that it will be donated to charity after the campaign,” CREW said in a statement. “The RNC also relies on this prospective contribution to explain why the personal use prohibition is not applicable as FEC regulations provide that donations by candidates to charitable organizations are not for personal use. It does not appear, however, that this exception would apply to the clothing worn by Palin’s family, even it does apply to her own.”

CREW’s complaint and exhibits can be found here.