A complaint has been filed with the Federal Election Commission, by a watchdog group, against Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, the Republican National Committee, Larson and other political operatives associated with the RNC, alleging that the Republican Party improperly spent $150,000 on clothing for Palin and her family.

According to the campaigns finance report for September, Jeff Larson, a Minnesota-based Republican consultant, made most or all of the purchases at high-end chain stores in Minneapolis.  

The group said that shopping excursions violate campaign finance law, which specifically prohibits a candidate for federal office from converting campaign funds to personal use, including clothing.

In a statement, Melanie Sloan, executive director of the group, said: “It is ridiculous that RNC would spend $150,000 to outfit a vice presidential nominee and her family at any time, but it is more outrageous given the dire financial straights of so many Americans and the state of our economy. The FEC should investigate immediately.”

The group cited language in the law stating that no donated funds may be converted to personal use if the expense “would exist irrespective of the candidate’s election campaign,” including a clothing purchase unless it is of “de minimis value.”

An RNC official, who lacked authorization to be identified, defended the purchases as permissible, because they did not come from the McCain-Palin campaign.

The official said: “Because these accessories were purchased with coordinated funds, they belong to the RNC. They will be returned to the national committee at the conclusion of the general election, and in turn directed to charity.”