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Investigative Report·House Committee on Ethicspending

Activities of the Committee on Ethics for the 117th Congress

Published January 2, 2023274 pages
View source PDFOriginal source

Briefing

This is the Committee on Ethics’ summary of activities for the 117th Congress (Jan 3, 2021–Jan 2, 2023). It describes the Committee’s advice and education work, travel and financial disclosure reviews, rulemaking, fine-appeal activity, guidance on manipulated media, and summaries of investigations (including which matters were opened, continued, dismissed, deferred, or referred). The report lists people named, committee actions, investigatory outcomes (where reached), and appendices with rules and advisory memoranda.

People Named

Sheila Jackson Lee
— subject

Allegations

  • [medium]Failure to timely file Periodic Transaction Reports (PTRs) for various reportable transactions by multiple Members.
  • [high]Use of campaign or official funds for impermissible or personal purposes, including alleged conversion of campaign funds.
  • [high]Solicitation or acceptance of improper or excessive campaign contributions.
  • [high]Improper acceptance or promotion of a cryptocurrency in which a Member had an undisclosed financial interest.
  • [medium]Misuse of official resources, including staff time, for campaign or personal purposes.
  • [high]Allegations of sexual misconduct by Members and related misconduct (e.g., improper relationships with staff).
  • [medium]Dissemination of manipulated or distorted audio-visual material intended to mislead the public (deep fakes).
  • [high]Attempts to interfere with investigations, including contacting witnesses to influence testimony.
  • [low]Failure to complete security screening or mask policies leading to fines (SAA fines under Resolutions 38 and 73).

Findings

  • [violation found]Investigative Subcommittee concluded there was substantial evidence that Representative Madison Cawthorn promoted a cryptocurrency in which he had a financial interest, failed to file timely PTRs, and received an improper gift; ISC concluded he did not have an improper relationship with staff.
  • [referred]Committee adopted ISC findings regarding Delegate Michael F.Q. San Nicolas and found substantial evidence of campaign finance violations, conspiracy to hide illicit campaign proceeds, false FEC reporting, and attempted witness interference; Committee unanimously referred matter to DOJ.
  • [no violation]Committee reviewed multiple OCE referrals alleging late PTR filings (e.g., Pat Fallon, Chris Jacobs, John Rutherford, Thomas Suozzi) and found no clear evidence the errors were knowing or willful; matters dismissed.
  • [pending]Committee considered allegations regarding Representative Jeff Fortenberry but deferred to DOJ; Representative Fortenberry later resigned and Committee lost jurisdiction.
  • [pending]Committee considered allegations regarding Representative Matt Gaetz but deferred to DOJ; matter remained unresolved at end of Congress.
  • [no violation]Committee reviewed arrests of multiple Members for crowding/obstructing during protests and declined to impanel ISCs, taking no further action in each matter.
  • [referred]Committee established ISC for Delegate Michael San Nicolas, investigated, and referred to DOJ due to potential violations of federal criminal law.

This summary is generated by AI from the official document. Read the source PDF for the authoritative text.