The Daily Caller gets is first big scoop with a report on how RNC chairman Michael Steele spends the party’s money on himself. Among his receipts: $1,946.25 spent “at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.” The Huffington Post provides some possibly not-safe-for-work background.

Maybe Steele was just confused — he didn’t realize the bondage in question didn’t mean waterboarding. If it had, it might have been work-appropriate.

Update: In related news, Steele is appealing a court ruling Friday that upheld limits on “soft money” contributions to political parties. The AP reports, “The RNC argues it should be able to raise soft money for state elections, congressional redistricting after the 2010 census, legal costs, mobilizing voters around political issues and to cover other expenses it says have nothing to do with federal elections.” Steele has an airtight case for that.

Update 2: The RNC says it wasn’t Steel who was enjoying himself at Voyeur West Hollywood on the donor’s dime, “This was a reimbursement made to a noncommittee staffer.” David Freddoso and Tim Carney have more.

Update 3: The story reaches its denouement as RNC contractor Erik Brown gets fired for an expense the organization previously treated as reimbursable.