Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz spent almost $200,000 in taxpayer funds to rent office space from a longtime friend and campaign donor, Politico reported.

Gaetz and the donor, Collier Merrill, have reportedly known each other for decades, and Merrill is also an adviser and legal client of Gaetz's.

Their rental agreement appears to be against House rules.

The guidelines state that leases for district offices must be "at fair market value as the result of a bona fide, arms-length, marketplace transaction. The Lessor and Lessee certify that the parties are not relatives nor have had, or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant)."

Gaetz made headlines last month when he called for North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr's resignation over an ethical controversy.

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Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has spent almost $200,000 in taxpayer funds to rent office space from a longtime friend and campaign donor, Politico reported on Friday.

The outlet reported that Gaetz and Collier Merrill, a Pensacola-based real estate developer, have known each other for decades and that Merrill is also an adviser and legal client to Gaetz.

Gaetz's agreement with Merrill appears to be against House rules.

The guidelines state that leases for district offices must be "at fair market value as the result of a bona fide, arms-length, marketplace transaction. The Lessor and Lessee certify that the parties are not relatives nor have had, or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant)."

Gaetz and Merrill initially told Politico in separate interviews that the Republican congressman paid below market rent for the office space, which is more than 3,000 square feet. Gaetz later backtracked and said his rent was "at or below market rate."

Gaetz has rented from Merrill since 2017, when he first began serving in Congress, and he's paid more than $184,000 to Merrill's real estate company, Empire Partners LLC.

Politico reported that the House's Administrative Counsel approved the rental agreement, but the House was not initially aware of Gaetz's long relationship with Merrill.