Tenney spokesman: Politico report is ‘embarrassingly false’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WWNY) - A spokesman for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is calling a recent Politico article “embarrassingly false.”

The report, published Thursday, investigates whether Tenney misused campaign funds.

The article claims the Republican lawmaker is a fan of tennis star Novak Djokovic and that Tenney spent campaign funds to watch him play.

Here’s a quote from the article: “A POLITICO review of Tenney’s campaign finances shows her campaign used donor funds to book a string of swanky hotel stays that neatly coincide with the same dates as Djokovic’s appearances at the U.S. and Miami Opens last year. The campaign also used $388 to purchase Lacoste gear at the brand’s New York City store during the U.S. Open. It labeled the expense as “DONOR GIFTS- SHIRTS/HATS.”

“This is embarrassingly false and inaccurate reporting by a reporter who does not even understand how to read the House calendar,” said Anthony Pileggi, a consultant to the Tenney for Congress campaign.

The article goes on to say: “Pileggi and Tenney’s campaign refused to say why the campaign booked hotels in New York and Florida during his matches. And he wouldn’t tell us how the Tenney campaign decides who receives the ‘donor gifts’ — including the Lacoste apparel — that her campaign spent thousands of dollars on in 2025."

Pileggi said Tenney’s travel and campaign activity were conducted fully in compliance with all applicable laws and Federal Election Commission regulations.

“Voters see this for what it is: a desperate attempt to manufacture a smear when there is no real story to tell.”

Tenney represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes part of Jefferson County, including Watertown.

Democrat Alissa Ellman, who wants to unseat Tenney in this November’s election, issued a statement, saying in part, “Corrupt Claudia is certainly living up to her nickname. This is a blatant betrayal of the voters of this district.”