GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz may have violated House rules by shelling out $184,000 in taxpayer funds to rent office space from a longtime friend and donor

Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz spent almost $200,000 in taxpayer funds to rent office space from a longtime friend and campaign donor, Politico reported.

Gaetz and the donor, Collier Merrill, have reportedly known each other for decades, and Merrill is also an adviser and legal client of Gaetz's.

Their rental agreement appears to be against House rules.

The guidelines state that leases for district offices must be "at fair market value as the result of a bona fide, arms-length, marketplace transaction. The Lessor and Lessee certify that the parties are not relatives nor have had, or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant)."

Gaetz made headlines last month when he called for North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr's resignation over an ethical controversy.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/gop-rep-matt-gaetz-may-151902548.html