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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 report summarizing its activities during the 117th Congress (2021–2022). It describes the Committee’s advice and education work, financial disclosure oversight, travel approvals, rulemaking, fine appeals, guidance on manipulated media, and investigative activity including the initiation, disposition, and public statements about specific matters. The report lists 72 investigative matters begun or continued in the 117th Congress, three impaneled investigative subcommittees (Michael San Nicolas, Jeff Fortenberry, Madison Cawthorn), and summarizes outcomes for several public matters (e.g., Cawthorn: admonishment, repayment and late fees; San Nicolas: referral to U

People Named

  • Susan Wild — other
  • Michael Guest — other
  • Theodore E. Deutch — other
  • Jackie Walorski — other
  • Veronica Escobar — other
  • Mondaire Jones — other
  • Pat Fallon — subject
  • Marie Newman — subject

Allegations

  • [medium]Failure to timely file Periodic Transaction Reports (PTRs) and related omissions in PTR filings by various Members.
  • [high]Conversion of campaign funds to personal use and improper campaign disbursements by certain campaign committees.
  • [medium]Use of official resources for campaign or political purposes and misuse of Members' Representational Allowance (MRA).
  • [medium]Improper acceptance or failure to disclose gifts and privately-sponsored travel issues.
  • [low]Dissemination of manipulated audio-visual material (deep fakes) that may mislead the public.
  • [high]Allegations of sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use by certain Members.
  • [high]Allegations that a Member improperly promoted a cryptocurrency in which he had an undisclosed financial interest and received an improper gift.
  • [high]Allegations of improper relationships between a Member and staff.
  • [high]Allegations of obstruction, witness tampering, false statements, and interference with investigations.

Findings

  • [violation found]The ISC for Representative Madison Cawthorn found substantial evidence he promoted a cryptocurrency in which he had a financial interest, failed to file timely PTRs, and received an improper gift; ISC recommended admonishment, repayment, and late fees; Committee adopted ISC report and directed repayment of $14,237.49 plus $1,000 in late filing fees.
  • [referred]The ISC investigating Delegate Michael F.Q. San Nicolas concluded there was substantial evidence of acceptance of improper campaign contributions, conspiracy to hide illicit campaign proceeds, false FEC reporting, and witness tampering; Committee referred the matter to the Department of Justice.
  • [insufficient evidence]For OCE referrals involving failures to timely file PTRs by Representatives Pat Fallon, Chris Jacobs, Thomas Suozzi, John Rutherford, and others, the Committee found no clear evidence that errors were knowing or willful and dismissed the matters after remedial actions and amendments.
  • [pending]The Committee established ISCs for Delegation Michael San Nicolas, Representative Jeff Fortenberry, and Representative Madison Cawthorn; Fortenberry resigned and the Committee lost jurisdiction.
  • [no violation]Committee reviewed and dismissed certain OCE referrals where members corrected filings and demonstrated lack of knowing or willful violation; Committee worked with Members to amend filings.

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