Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

About Erik Brown, the OC Man Reimbursed by the RNC for Visit to Racy WeHo VIP Club

erik-brown-rnc.jpg
Erik Brown

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

So RNC Chairman Michael Steele didn't spend $2k at Voyeur in West Hollywood, watching near-nude women dangle from the ceiling and simulate oral sex on each other--but someone who charged the outing to the RNC did.Meet Erik Brown, an OC-based political consultant who is the CEO of Dynamic Marketing, Inc. According toa biography available online, Brown is a UC Irvine grad (Political Science) who has participated in "The National Honor Society, Young Republicans, Friends of the NRA, Claremont Institute, and the Sheriff's Advisory Council." Brown coaches hockey, and is married to Alison Brown, with whom he lives in Las Flores. The couple is "actively involved in the ministries of their local church."

A committee spokesman says Brown "will return the money to the party," according to CNN. Brown has closed his Twitter and Facebook accounts since the scandal broke, but some sites were quick to take screengrabs and quotes from the social networking sites, like Wonkette, who also explore the possibility Brown is merely Steele's fall guy in this case.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today