Absolutely. Majority of ppl with power over other end up using it to enrich themselves eventually.

Which leads me to believe the purchases were either to surreptitiously feed a drug habit (cash withdrawals raise flags, purchases you can claim weren't authorized) by buying & then reselling the items to get cash.

Or, due to his other associations - money laundering. Buying memorabilia & collectibles (a known volatile market) so you can use them as a way to front cash flow from other sources (claiming you sold a $100 card for $5000 because, hey, it's all in what the buyer will pay).

He knew he was cooked. Why do you think he stepped down when he did?

And the man is a bank officer. He, of all people, should've been fully aware how easy this would be to find. Then to call the cops yourself and start your own investigation... This guy is either the epitomy of dumb, or thinks he's the smartest guy in every room he walks in and could talk/smart his way out of it (which, ultimately, is the same thing).

No, my guess is he ran only to scam his own campaign - and it's happened before right here in VC. Probably 15-20 years ago I knew a guy who ran for something in German, openly admitted to his circle of friends it was just so he could buy a bunch of stuff "for the campaign" - knew he'd get nowhere with being elected.

I agree with you I am saying it was the other party that thought an appropriate response to getting caught having an affair with a married man was give an interview to the courier. Making what should’ve been a very sad, private affair puclic in the most inappropriate and tabloid way possible. She won no sympathy and is just as bad as he is in that situation.

I'm guessing money laundering in some form.

Buy it, claim you resold it at a massive markup to explain some ill-gotten gain from elsewhere (hint Amy hint).

Plus for a minute there Pokemon cards were going for a hot dollar, people lining up as soon as stores got them to buy boxes at a time to resell for 5-10x actual cost.

You'll find a lot of people use artwork & memorabilia as ways to avoid taxes & launder money since their value is, essentially, undetermined until resold. Suddenly come into a chunk of change you need to explain to uncle Sam? Oh ya.... I sold this super rare baseball card for 20x what I paid because he really wanted it.

The jury was in, not out. Typos – dictating.

There were two self-obsessed, silver spoon ass parties that think everything is theirs for the taking involved in the situation you are referring to

Given his other associations my assumption is either cash flow to feed a habit, or helping momma hide some money.

Sounds like the typical gold digger to me. She'll put up with anything as long as the money and benefits keep coming.