California Democrat Maxine Waters is caught in new nepotism storm after paying daughter $192,000 in campaign funds to run 'slate mailer' operation

US Rep. Maxine Waters (left) paid her daughter, Karen (right), $192,300 from her campaign fund over the last two years to run her 'slate mailer' operation

Although rare for top-level politicians, the congresswoman accepts payments to appear on the mailers for fellow Democrats and policy measures in California 

Karen (pictured) has received more than 1.2 million since the operation began in 2004

According to the campaign filings, Karen is paid management fees about twice a month in payments that range from $2,000 to $6,000.

It was previously reported that Karen received $81,650 in campaign funds in 12 installments from October 23, 2020 through June 17, 2021.  

Federal regulations do not prohibit candidates or members of Congress from hiring members of their family for a campaign. 

Karen's role in her mother's campaign is to organize the slate mailing operation, where a consulting firm is hired to create a pamphlet that lists candidates or policy measures for each person campaigning for election, and advises voters how to cast their ballots. 

It's a normal practice in California, where Waters has reaped the rewards by appearing in mailers with notable state Democrats Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon. 

Pictured: A list of the most recent payments made to Karen Waters 

Waters has been criticized for years for her daughter's six-figure earnings through her campaign. The duo are pictured at an NAACP event in 2008