US House Ethics Panel Investigates Conyers, 2 Others

DETROIT, MI — The House Ethics Committee said Monday it is investigating U.S. Rep. John Conyers and two others. The independent panel, which investigates potential misconduct, did not disclose the nature of the allegations in the mandatory disclosure, but a spokeswoman for the 88-year-old Democrat from Detroit shrugged them off as old business.

Also under the lens of the panel is Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and Michael Collins, chief of staff to Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, the panel said in a statement.

The joint statement Monday by Ethics Committee Chair Susan Brooks, an Indiana Republican, and ranking Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch of Florida, is the first public acknowledgement of the investigation. On May 11, the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, which looks into potential misconduct, referred the allegations on May 11, they said. Such referrals are based on a “substantial reason to believe” misconduct may have occurred.

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The panel said in the disclosure that the inquiry had been extended 45 days and that the additional announcements will be made Aug. 9.

In a statement to Patch, Conyers’ office said disclosure of the investigation doesn’t mean a violation has occurred, and that the congressman is cooperating in the probe.

“This is not a new controversy, but rather involves the same matter that the Office of Congressional Ethics released back in February. Rep. Conyers’ office has worked diligently at all times to comply with the rules, is cooperating with the Ethics Committee, and is confident that this matter can be swiftly resolved.”

The earlier complaint involves former Conyers chief of staff Cynthia Martin, The Detroit News reported. Martin pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property related to her initial refusal to return $16,500 mistakenly deposited in her congressional credit union account. In February, the Office of Congressional Ethics recommended the House Ethics Committee review Martin’s possible violations of Washington, D.C., and House rules of conduct.

Luján spokesman and senior advisor Joe Shoemaker said in a statement the inquiry against his boss relates a sit in protesting the lack of gun legislation that was held on the House floor last year, Politico reported.
“This announcement is the result of a frivolous complaint, filed by a highly partisan outside group about activities during the sit-in last year — a complaint that is without merit,” Shoemaker said in the statement. “Congressman Luján is committed to abiding by House Rules, is confident he has done so in this case and looks forward to a timely resolution.”

Conyers, considered to be the dean of the House as the chamber’s longest continuously serving member, has had previous brushes with the Ethics Committee

In 2006, the panel examined Conyers’ inappropriate use of his congressional staff for campaign work and domestic tasks such as babysitting and chores. He was required to keep detailed records, and clearly outline House rules on campaign and other non-official duties to his staff, and his treatment of his staff bought his chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee under scrutiny by watchdog groups.

Image: U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, speaks during a hearing of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, in Washington, April 4. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)