Senator Raphael Warnock faces a serious ethics complaint for living rent-free in a nearly $1 million luxury home purchased by his church, raising questions about improper gifts and potential violations of Senate ethics rules.
Key Takeaways
- Senator Warnock has been living rent-free in a $989,000 luxury home purchased by Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he serves as a part-time pastor earning $31,815.12 annually.
- The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) has filed an ethics complaint alleging the arrangement may violate the Ethics in Government Act.
- The luxury home features high-end amenities including a 100-bottle wine fridge and bluetooth-enabled cooking range.
- Critics highlight the contrast between Warnock’s luxury housing and the church-owned low-income apartment building that attempted to evict tenants during the pandemic over minimal amounts.
- Warnock’s financial disclosure forms do not mention this living arrangement, which began in 2023 after the church purchased the property.
Church-Purchased Luxury Housing Arrangement
Senator Raphael Warnock’s living arrangements have come under intense scrutiny following revelations that he resides in a luxury home in DeKalb County, Georgia, without paying rent. The property, valued at $989,000, was purchased by Ebenezer Baptist Church in 2022, where Warnock serves as a part-time senior pastor. The Georgian Democrat moved into the residence in 2023 and has reportedly lived there without personal financial contribution since that time, despite the home’s significant market value and luxury features.
The property includes upscale amenities that have raised eyebrows among ethics watchdogs, including a 100-bottle wine refrigerator, bluetooth-enabled cooking range, and remote-controlled privacy curtains. These luxury features stand in stark contrast to the modest compensation Warnock reportedly receives for his part-time pastoral duties, which amounts to approximately $31,815 annually, according to ethics complaint documents.
BREAKING: Raphael Warnock Slapped With Ethics Complaint for Living in Free $1 Million Luxury Home https://t.co/e07kINZJKZ
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) April 21, 2025
Ethics Complaints and Legal Questions
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) filed a formal ethics complaint on Monday challenging the propriety of the housing arrangement. The watchdog group alleges that the benefit Warnock receives may breach the Ethics in Government Act, which regulates gifts and benefits received by elected officials. Of particular concern is the fact that Warnock’s financial disclosure forms do not mention this substantial living arrangement, which potentially constitutes a significant financial benefit.
“This is a matter of plain common sense. It is difficult to fathom [how] any citizen could look at this situation (a U.S. Senator being a part-time employee of an organization that happens to buy him a million-dollar house to live in for free after he was elected to Congress, and after which he sells his own house) and not think something potentially very wrong is afoot,” said Kendra Arnold, executive director of FACT.
Some ethics experts have suggested the arrangement might not violate Senate ethics rules, which allow certain benefits under specific circumstances. However, questions remain about potential IRS violations. Paul Kamenar of the National Legal and Policy Center noted, “Moreover, this benefit and his pay for being a part-time pastor may be an excessive benefit under IRS rules and trigger tax penalties.” The timing of the church’s purchase and Warnock’s subsequent real estate transactions have further complicated the situation.
Contrasting Housing Policies
Adding to the controversy are allegations regarding Ebenezer Baptist Church’s management of a low-income apartment building it owns. Reports indicate the church attempted to evict residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, sometimes over minimal rent delinquencies. This contrast between providing free luxury housing for Senator Warnock while pursuing evictions against economically vulnerable tenants has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Dr. Albert Paul Brinson, a former associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“It’s obscene that Senator Warnock’s church allows him to live rent-free in a new million-dollar house while it evicts poor black residents from its apartment building for being late in paying back rent for as little as $28,” said Kamenar.
This is not the first time Warnock’s housing benefits have faced scrutiny. During his 2022 reelection campaign, questions arose regarding a $7,417-per-month tax-free housing allowance he received from the church. The Senate Ethics Committee has not yet announced whether it will take action on the current complaint or open a formal investigation into the matter.
