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A Washington newspaper says U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., spent $5,500 in campaign funds on dues to the prestigious Penn Club and another $650 in dues for the Morgan City Petroleum Club, raising questions about whether the expenditures are prohibited by federal campaign law.
The newspaper Roll Call describes the Penn Club as an elite private club. It calls the Petroleum Club of Morgan City as “a social club founded by businessmen in the oil industry. The club offers fine dining, events and drinks.”
A spokesman for Cassidy’s office told Roll Call that the Penn Club expenditures are permissible because they’re connected with campaign events.
The spokesman didn’t address the Petroleum Club dues, the paper said.
The issue turns on whether the spending meets the Federal Election Commission definition of personal use, which the law forbids candidates from funding with campaign funds.
Personal use expenditures include money spent on household items, clothing, salaries for relatives beyond the market value of legitimate work, investments, and rent, mortgage payments or utilities for the candidate’s home.
Under dues, fees and gratuities, FEC guidelines also forbid the use of campaign funds “for dues to country clubs, health clubs, recreational facilities or other nonpolitical organizations unless the payments are made in connection with a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization’s premises. Campaign funds may be used for membership dues in an organization that may have political interests.”

Central Catholic High School standout running back Davidyione Bias was supposed to be going to McNeese State University to continue his football career.
However, Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said because the COVID-19 pandemic canceled ACT tests and he was unable to get the one point he was lacking, he will head to Southern University of Shreveport, a school that already had been recruiting him.
“He made a good choice,” Minton said. “I think he’s going to do well there, and it’s going to lead to him being able to get some bigger opportunities after his time there is up. I really think his best football’s ahead of him, because he’s so young.
"He’s going to report to college at 17. He doesn’t turn 18 until the end of September.”
At Southern University of Shreveport, Minton said Bias will be a part of the first Louisiana junior college to ever play football.
Bias is projected as a running back in college.
“It means a lot, because it’s going to create a lot of opportunities for me in the future,” Bias said of being able to continue his football career.
In 2019, Bias rushed 193 times for 1,221 yards and 18 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-District 8-1A honors, and he was an honorable mention Louisiana Coaches Association Class 1A All-State selection.
“He’s been a playmaker for us since his freshman year, and we actually even used him as a quarterback in quarterback run-game stuff as a sophomore some,” Minton said.
As he enters college, Bias has several things he wants to improve upon.
“I just want to improve physically and mentally, and I want to get a lot faster and stronger,” he said.
Bias said he also will be looking to take advantage of his time in Shreveport, including academically, to open new doors for himself.

April 2, 1970 — July 1, 2020
Lake Charles — Lisa Derise, born April 2, 1970, in Morgan City, LA, daughter of Herbert Derise Sr. and Carol Landry LeBlanc, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at the age of 50.
Lisa enjoyed fishing with her late father, cooking, swimming, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family and friends.
Lisa is survived by her mother, Carol LeBlanc (David); son, Gavyn Andrew Derise; siblings, Herbert Derise Jr., (Angel); David LeBlanc Jr.; Morgan LeBlanc; Shonell LeBlanc; niece, Alyssa Derise; and nephew, Trey Derise. She is preceded in death by her father, Herbert Derise Sr.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 1 p.m. in Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa, with Pastor Greg Simien officiating. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. until the service time at 1 p.m.
Words of comfort may be shared at www.johnsonandbrownfuneralhome.com or Facebook: Johnson & Brown Funeral Home.
Johnson & Brown Funeral Home of Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Walter Benjamin Garman, 79, a native of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and resident of Morgan City, died Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
He is survived by a sister, Lois Valentine of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; two daughters, Stephanie Garman and Cherie Lucien; two sons, Sterling Garman and Derrick Morrison; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, son, parents and siblings.
Graveside services will be Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Morgan City Cemetery and will be live-streamed on Hargrave Funeral Home website via link.
Hargrave Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.