Rashida Tlaib sent texts and emails begging staffers for campaign funds to help cover her expenses in a move that may have broken campaign finance laws.

The House Ethics Committee revealed the messages Thursday as it announced it is extending an investigation into Tlaib that began in August, because there is 'substantial reason to believe' she violated rules and possibly committed a crime.

In the messages, Tlaib can be seen asking senior staffers including future chief of staff Ryan Anderson for money, saying 'I'm sinking'.

The House Ethics Committee began investigating Rashida Tlaib for possible breach of finance rules and federal crimes in August, and extended the probe Thursday saying there is 'substantial reason to believe' she violated rules and possibly committed a crime

In April last year Tlaib began contacting senior staffers to say she was in financial difficulties, and was considering taking a second job with a previous employer to make ends meet

Among the reasons she gives for needing the money are for 'car maintenance, child care, other necessities' and 'to get out of debt'.

The messages reveal that Tlaib began struggling financially while campaigning around April 2018, when she considered renting out her home and going back to work a second job with a previous employer.

However, she was urged not to do this by staff including Steve Tobocman and Anthony Gooddeeris, who were afraid it would limit her time for campaigning.

On April 4, Tlaib wrote in an email: 'I am just not going to make it through the campaign without a stipend.

'With the loss of a second income to lean back on, I am requesting $2,000 per two weeks but not exceeding $12,000.

'The cost of living stipend is going towards much needed expenses due to campaigning that includes car maintenance, child care and other necessities.

'Please let me know if I can proceed.'

After discussing various finance options - including the use of private gifts - the campaign lit on the idea of paying her a stipend of $4,000 per month, which they believed was in line with the law.

Tlaib was urged not to take the job by staff who feared it would impact her campaign, and after considering a range of options they decided to pay her a $4,000-per-month salary

Tlaib said in texts that she needed the money 'to get out of debt', and also discussed negative media coverage of the payments with senior staffers

After a series of back-and-forth emails discussing the potential bad press if the scheme is discovered, finance records show the team ultimately went ahead with the idea.

A series of checks reveal that between May and December 2018, Tlaib was paid a monthly stipend, typically in line with the $4,000 limit.

However, in August she was handed three checks totalling $8,000, although she was not paid at all the previous month, perhaps explaining the discrepancy.

Then in December, as the campaign was wrapping up, she was handed a single check for $15,500.

At the bottom of the check it says '11/16 - 12/31 adjustment.'

In a written response, Tlaib's legal team writes that she did nothing wrong by claiming the salary, and says the texts and emails show she clearly considered the legal implications before accepting the money.

'In short, the facts as presented in the findings are entirely consistent with compliance with the law and House rules,' a statement said.

The statement also hits out at the Office of Congressional Ethics, saying it 'exceeded its authority' by recommending the ethics committee expand its probe.

Lawyers also warns that the committee risks making itself a 'partisan battleground' by choosing to pursue an investigation against her.

Tlaib received payments until December 2018 before taking office on January 3, 2019. As part of 'The Squad' she has been a leading voice in calling for Trump to be impeached, in part because of alleged corruption

In its press release, the OEC said: 'Tlaib's campaign committee, Rashida Tlaib for Congress, reported campaign disbursements that may not be legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes.

'If Rep. Tlaib converted campaign funds from Rashida Tlaib for Congress to personal use, or if Rep. Tlaib's campaign committee expended funds that were not attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes, then Rep. Tlaib may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.'

Tlaib took office for Michigan's 13th district on January 3 this year and quickly established herself as part of the Democrat 'squad' also featuring Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.

The group have been among Trump's most vocal critics and the targets of his most vicious attacks, including a suggestion that they should 'go back to their home countries'.

They have also been vocal proponents of impeachment, describing Trump as corrupt, with Tlaib the most outspoken among them.

In front of video cameras, she once told a supporter rally that 'we're going to impeach the motherf***er.'

Public hearings as part of the Democrat impeachment inquiry got underway this week, focusing on Trump's dealings with Ukraine.