Steele fires RNC finance director over lesbian nightclub scandal

Steele fires RNC finance director over lesbian nightclub scandal

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Republican National Committee's finance director and his deputy were forced out Friday as the organization still reels from reimbursements for donors to attend a lesbian bondage-themed nightclub in Los Angeles. RNC chief of staff Michael Leavitt sent an e-mail message to committee members telling them of the changes in the fundraising department and promising better stewardship of donors' dollars heading toward crucial midterm elections in November. A replacement for finance director Rob Bickhart and deputy Debbie LeHardy was to be announced Friday evening. Mary Heitman, a longtime Republican fundraiser, was the expected choice. The finance team's ouster came late on a Friday as the RNC prepared for a major meeting with its state party chairs in the Washington area next week. The RNC became a late-night joke and questions arose about chairman Michael Steele's tenure after financial reports showed lavish spending, including almost $2,000 for a night at a sex-themed nightclub with topless entertainers. In a prepared statement, Steele said, "We are well-positioned for victory this fall and look forward to working with Mary to continue to improve upon our strong fundraising numbers and provide the support necessary to win elections." It is the latest shake-up in a string that started with Steele's top adviser, his top official and another aide tasked with handling young donors. "While we appreciate their service to the RNC and wish them well in future endeavors, the chairman felt it was important to restructure the department in order to continue to improve on our strong fundraising numbers," Leavitt said in the e-mail, obtained by The Associated Press. 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 West Hollywood was reimbursed with a forged signature but reported it was "questionable" whether Bickhart had reviewed the reimbursement. That report also recommended a contract with Bickhart's company -- eCapitol Direct -- be ended. The audit said the contract could be worth as much as $270,000 on top of Bickhart's salary as an RNC senior official. "This contract should be canceled," RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen wrote to members in March. _Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed._