Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid wants the Federal Election Commission to make an exception and allow him to pocket over $600,000 for retirement from a slush fund.

FEC guidelines prohibit personal use of unspent PAC and campaign money.  Punishment for violating the prohibition on personal use ranges from hefty fines to possible imprisonment. The money can be used as a contribution to charity or donated to the national party committee.

Democrat FEC Chairwoman Ann Ravel believes Reid has a right to the money due to his status as a “historic” and “important figure and public official.”

“This is applicable to a person who has been the majority leader for many years, who has performed an important function in our government for many years, who probably during that time had so much to do that he was unable to do some of the things that’s necessary, not only for the winding down of the office but also to be able to communicate to the American public as an important figure and public official, not necessarily as just a person who’s been there a couple of years and is trying to make personal use of their campaign funds,” Ravel said.

The FEC has deferred action on Reid’s request.

FEC Commissioner Lee E. Goodman believes granting the request will send the wrong message and set a precedent.

“I mean, how do we draw that line? We think you were important enough to walk away with an administrative slush fund. We don’t think you were important enough,” he said.

Reid’s request should come as no surprise. He is one of the most corruption politicians in Congress.

Along with former Senator Hillary Clinton, Reid appeared on Judicial Watch’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” list in 2006. That year he came under fire for failing to properly report to Congress a $700,000 land deal. He also accepted more than $30,000 from notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff for his cooperation in a Nevada Indian gaming deal. Reid made news in 2012 for the role he played in an influence-peddling scandal involving a Chinese “green energy” client of a Nevada law firm run by his son.

In March of 2015 it was discovered Reid abused the power of his office in 2012 and 2013 to force the Department of Homeland Security to override its procedures and push through foreign visa applications and free up $115 million invested by applicants in the SLS Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The owner of the project had hired Rory Reid to provide legal representation.