re: #274 thedopefishlives

Is that even legal? I mean, yes, in a technical sense, I know the owners of private property can forbid trespassers, but are the offices of a public official truly private property?

Since the office and contents are paid for by taxpayers, it is property of taxpayers.

Leases
Rental expenses related to district offices, except for security deposits, are reimbursable. There is no limit on the number and size of district offices a Member may establish. No lease may extend beyond the Member’s elected term. Members must notify the Office of Finance at x57474 in writing when a lease is terminated.

District offices may be located in:

Federal buildings;
Commercial buildings; and
State, county, or municipal buildings.
District office space must be located within a Member’s district unless there is no suitable office space in a federal building in the Member’s district. In that event, a district office may be located in a federal building serving the Member’s district.

Members may not accept free office space from private entities. Private office space must be leased at a fair market value as the result of a bona fide, arms-length, marketplace transaction. The Committee on Ethics has ruled that Members may accept free office space, located in their district, when such space is provided by a federal, state, or local government agency.