Steele defends RNC spending during private meeting with state party chairs

Steele defends spending to RNC members

OXON HILL, Md. — Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele is still trying to contain the damage from his organization’s lavish spending, including a donor event at a sex-themed nightclub.

The chairman on Tuesday explained the spending during a private session with state party leaders. According to participants, Steele said the spending on private jets and limos were necessary for him to do his job.

RNC committeeman Saul Anuzis says Steele called the spending “the giant elephant in the room” during the session. Anuzis says Steele justified each expense and members nodded in approval.

Steele has faced criticism over the spending, including an almost $2,000 tab at a sex-themed nightclub in Los Angeles. Steele says staffers were wrong to be reimbursed for that outing with young donors.