Unpaid Bills Keep Gingrich, Judge Jeanine From Closing Campaigns

Almost two dozen former lawmakers and candidates currently are prohibited from shutting down campaign committees because of unpaid bills, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Fox News commentator Jeanine Pirro and former Rep. Michael Grimm.

The Federal Election Commission insists debts be resolved because unpaid debts could count as illegal campaign contributions. That means former candidates with outstanding debts are required to file disclosure reports with the FEC, even years after their political careers ended.

Judge Jeanine Pirro

(Photo by Mike Theiler/AFP via Getty Images)

Some of those owed money include savvy political operatives -- consultants, lawyers, accountants and others -- willing for ideological reasons to take on candidates ...