This week’s Campus Notebook features a little context on staffer pay in the office of former Rep. Katie Hill, arrests for scooter theft and a heroin bust, and payouts for two senators, for different reasons. 

Hill pay

Graham Kelly, who served as legislative director for former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill of California, earned an annual salary of $80,000, according to May 2019 payroll records from the Legislative Resource Center. The only staffer to make more than Kelly—there were other aides who made the same as him—was Emily Burns, Hill’s chief of staff, who made $130,000 a year.

The average salary of a legislative director in 2018 was $93,114, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

Hill resigned effective Nov. 3, shortly after reports that she and her now-estranged husband had an affair with a female campaign aide, as well as allegations that she had an affair with Kelly.

The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Hill regarding the Kelly allegation because House rules forbid members from having sexual relationships with subordinates. The Ethics panel typically drops cases after members leave office, citing a lack of jurisdiction. 

Scoot along

The Capitol Police arrested and charged a man with a felony for stealing a motor scooter at the unit block of Columbus Circle NE, on Nov. 6, according to arrest records.

The report says, “the Suspect was unable to provide any identification or paperwork proving ownership of the scooter, but he stated he purchased it from someone on the street.”

Separately, a suspect was arrested on Nov. 6, and charged with possession of heroin in the 400 block of Washington Ave. SW. Police found a syringe and a small bag “containing a white, powdery substance.” This is according to the Capitol Police arrest summary report through Nov. 13.

Big senator on campus

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida made $17,861 in 2018 from Florida International University in Miami, Senate financial disclosures show in his annual report amendment.  He holds the position of senior fellow at the university, which he has served in since 2011. 

Trading places

Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, sold between $500,000 and $1 million in Quadbridge HML Venture LLC, a Charlotte, N.C.-based real estate entity, according to his Senate periodic transaction report filed Nov. 11.