Ethics panel to review Bobby Rush (D-IL), Ed Whitfield (R-KY)
Source: Politico
The House Committee on Ethics announced plans on Friday to extend separate reviews of Illinois Democrat Rep. Bobby Rush and Kentucky Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield.
The two notices from the committee do not detail the charges against the congressmen but said both cases were referred to the panel on June 10.
The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee, the notice states.
The Office of Congressional Ethics was investigating Rush for potentially using campaign funds for the Beloved Community Christian Church in Chicago.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/bobby-rush-ed-whitfield-house-ethics-committee-109386.html
More coverage, about Rush (
Chicago Tribune) and Whitfield (
Louisville Courier-Journal)
Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting article about Whitfield:
How a Congressman, His Wife and a Lobbyist Mixed Politics, Personal Finances:
For 20-plus years, (Juanita) Duggans high-powered clients and the associations where she worked have had frequent legislative business before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Whitfield is a senior member, and its Energy and Power subcommittee, which he chairs.
Their jurisdiction over issues including telecommunications, consumer protection, food, drug and chemical safety, public health and the environment sometimes makes them forums for pitched legislative battles and intense lobbying.
Whitfield often has cast votes favorable to Duggans clients and employers, whose interests included tobacco, fast food, drugs, health care, environmental regulation, chemicals and paper, as well as alcohol.