Fee for services

ALong Island hedge fund investor donated $5,000 to Long Island Rep. Tim Bishop’s reelection in recognition of official services rendered and in satisfaction of a campaign invoice received. Quid, meet quo. Congressman, meet House Ethics Committee.

The tale begins with Eric Semler, a Wall Streeter who wanted to cap his son’s Southampton bar mitzvah with a Grucci fireworks show on a barge.

Semler’s plans required state and federal permits. For those of you whose knowledge extends to backyard Roman candles, these licenses are hard to get. So Semler sought Bishop’s help.

On May 21, the congressman agreed to pitch in. On May 23, Bishop’s daughter and fund-raiser, Molly Bishop, contacted Semler to suggest he and his wife donate as much as $5,000 each.

“Our finance chair, Bob Sillerman, suggested to my dad that you were interested in (a) contribution to his campaign,” she said in the email, as quoted by the website Politico, which brought this tale to light. “We are going to be in a tough, expensive campaign and so we are very grateful for your willingness to be of help.”

The Semlers got their permits, held their fireworks show — and sent Bishop checks totaling $5,000, their first gift to the five-term Democrat.

Later, Semler groused by email to the Gruccis that Bishop “didn’t hesitate to solicit me in the heat of battle” and termed those actions “really gross.”

All parties deny wrongdoing, although they differ on a key detail: Bishop says Semler volunteered to make a gift; Semler says it was the campaign’s idea. Bishop has promised to donate it to charity.

Regardless, the House Ethics Manual declares that “a member may not accept any contribution that is linked with an action that the member has taken or is being asked to take.”

Whether Bishop or his campaign crossed that line is for the committee to determine. But “gross” is the right word.