The request stems from Murphy’s recently-publicized vulnerability research book, an extensive political document which was paid for by Murphy’s 2014 re-election campaign. The book, which was posted online, clearly notes that it was prepared “in collaboration with the staff of Rep. Patrick Murphy’s office.” The collaboration is evidence of the use of official, taxpayer-funded resources for campaign purposes.
This isn’t the first time Murphy has abused his position in Congress for personal gain – he was caught in an apparent pay-to-play scheme in which he sponsored a highly controversial worker visa program in exchange for a $15,000 political contribution from a company that would benefit from the legislation.
The letter filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics states that the admitted coordination between Murphy’s political operation and his taxpayer-funded staff warrants an investigation into the extent that Murphy used his official staff for campaign purposes.