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Under Investigation
CREW has compiled a list of Congress members likely under investigation by the Department of
Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the House Ethics Committee, the
Senate Select Committee on Ethics (Senate ethics committee), the Office of Congressional
Ethics (OCE), and in some cases, the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Due to the secrecy
surrounding these investigative bodies, the list is compiled from press reports. On October 30,
2009, The Washington Post revealed a leaked House Ethics Committee memo documenting the
investigative activities surrounding House members by the House Ethics Committee and/or the
OCE. The OCE was created in 2008 to review allegations of misconduct against members of the
House and refers matters to the House Ethics Committee for further action. As a result, it is not
always clear which body is investigating the member.

Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL)

Under Investigation by: The DOJ, the House Ethics Committee, the FBI, the IRS, the OCE, and
the FEC.1
Under Investigation for: Rep. Buchanan is under scrutiny for allegedly directing his former
business partner to reimburse employees who contributed to Rep. Buchanans congressional
campaigns.2 According to the former business partner, Sam Kazran, and several other former
employees of Rep. Buchanans car dealerships, partners and employees who made contributions
to Rep. Buchanans congressional campaigns were reimbursed with corporate funds.3 Mr.
Kazran claimed Rep. Buchanan personally instructed him to engage in the reimbursement
scheme.4 Mr. Kazran also claimed that Rep. Buchanan pressured him to sign a false affidavit
and file it with the FEC in return for setting a lawsuit.5 In addition, the House Ethics Committee
is investigating Rep. Buchanan for failing to disclose 17 positions he held at Florida
organizations, as well as unearned income he reported on his federal tax returns but left off his
personal financial disclosure forms.6
1

Marc Masferrer, Feds Open Campaign Finance Investigation of Rep. Vern Buchanan, Bradenton Herald, October
18, 2011; Joshua Miller, FEC Closes File on Buchanan Campaign, Roll Call, June 13, 2011; Virginia Chamlee,
Office of Congressional Ethics Investigating Buchanan, Florida Independent, October 25, 2011; Press Release,
House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on
Ethics Regarding Representative Vern Buchanan, December 22, 2011; Eric Lichtblau, G.O.P. Fund-Raiser Faces
Inquiries Into His Races, New York Times, February 23, 2012.
2
Jake Sherman and John Bresnahan, Report: Vern Buchanan Under Investigation by Department of Justice,
Politico, October 18, 2011.
3
Federal Election Commission, Confidential Investigative Deposition of Sam Kazran, November 6, 2009; Matthew
Murray, Buchanan Faces Another Lawsuit, Roll Call, June 2, 2008.
4
Id.
5
Office of Congressional Ethics, 112th Congress, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Vern Buchanan, Review No.
11-7565, January 27, 2012.
6
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Vernon G. Buchanan, February 6, 2012; Office of Congressional
Ethics, 112th Congress, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Vern Buchanan, Review No. 11-9366, October 28,
2011.

Status: On April 16, 2010, the FEC notified Rep. Buchanan that the commission had reason to
believe he violated campaign finance law.7 On February 1, 2011, however, the commission
determined to take no further action and close the file on Rep. Buchanan.8 On October 18,
2011, the Bradenton Herald reported that the DOJ had opened an investigation into Rep.
Buchanan.9 On February 23, 2012, the New York Times reported the FBI and IRS are
investigating Rep. Buchanan.10 On September 11, 2012, Rep. Buchanans attorney said the DOJ
had dropped its investigation into Rep. Buchanan.11 The OCE referred two separate
investigations into Rep. Buchanan to the House Ethics Committee.12 The House Ethics
Committee is continuing to investigate Mr. Kazrans claim about the false affidavit, but the
committee announced on June 29, 2012, it had closed its investigation into Rep. Buchanans
inaccurate personal financial disclosure statements.13

Representative Chaka Fattah (D-PA)

Under Investigation by: The FBI.14
Under Investigation for: According to a subpoena obtained by Fox 29, the FBI is seeking Rep.
Fattahs property tax records from the city of Philadelphia.15 Rep. Fattah and his lawyer said
federal law enforcement has been looking into Rep. Fattah since 2007.16 Asked about the
subpoena, Rep. Fattah told Fox 29, Im a, the senior congressman and any activities that Im
involved in are appropriate for review, and I assume that any review would be appropriate.17
Status: The status of the FBI investigation is unknown.18 On August 27, 2014, Gregory Naylor,
a longtime aide to Rep. Fattah, pleaded guilty to concealing the misuse of campaign funds and
federal grant money.19 Mr. Naylor admitted that he conspired with his employer, referred to as
Elected Official A in court filings, to pay off debts with political contributions and grant
money routed through nonprofits and for-profits.20 Prosecutors would not confirm that Elected
Official A is Rep. Fattah, but the description of Mr. Naylors work history with the official
corresponds with his employment by Rep. Fattah.21 Mr. Naylor also admitted that he conspired
with Elected Official A to use campaign money to pay college debt owed by the officials
Rep. Vern Buchanan Exonerated by FEC, His Spokeswoman Says, Politifact, June 13, 2011.
Id.
9
Masferrer, Bradenton Herald, Oct. 18, 2011.
10
Lichtblau, New York Times, Feb. 23, 2012
11
Jeremy Wallace, Buchanan Attorneys Say Justice Ends Investigation; No Charges, Herald-Tribune, September
11, 2012.
12
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, Feb. 6, 2012; Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th
Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative
Vern Buchanan, March 23, 2012.
13
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, March 23, 2012; Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th
Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative
Vernon G. Buchanan, July 10, 2012.
14
Jeff Cole, Fox 29 Investigates: Fattah Tax Subpoena, My Fox Philly, October 10, 2013.
15
Id.
16
Id.
17
Id.
18
Cole, My Fox Philly, October 10, 2013.
19
Jeremy Roebuck, Mark Fazlollah, and Craig R. McCoy, Former Aides Guilty Plea Raises Questions for U.S.
Rep. Chaka Fattah, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 27, 2014.
20
Id.
21
Id.
7
8

son.22 The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a source close to the investigation confirmed
Rep. Fattahs son, Chaka Fattah Jr., was the beneficiary of the debt relief.23 In early August
2014, Mr. Fattah Jr. was indicted for fraud.24

Representative Luis Gutirrez (D-IL)

Under Investigation by: The OCE and the House Ethics Committee25
Under Investigation for: According to USA Today, Rep. Gutirrez appears to be under
investigation for paying Douglas Scofield, a Chicago lobbyist and Rep. Gutirrez former chief
of staff, more than $500,000 from his congressional office budget over the last ten years.26 Mr.
Scofield has been a registered lobbyist in Illinois since 2003, and Mr. Scofields firm, the
Scofield Company (originally Scofield Communications), is registered as well.27 Mr. Scofields
lobbying firm has also received payments from Rep. Gutirrez office, described as training
and non-legislative message development.28 USA Today also reported Rep. Gutirrez has
sought federal aid for some of Mr. Scofields lobbyist clients. 29
Status: The OCE referred the investigation to the House Ethics Committee on December 4,
2013, recommending further review.30 On March 20, 2014, the Committee announced that it
was extending its investigation and would announce a course of action on or before May 5,
2014.31

Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL)

Under Investigation by: The House Ethics Committee and the OCE.32
Under Investigation for: The House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that Rep.
Hastings sexually harassed a former staffer.33 Winsome Packer worked on the staff of the
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe from January 2008 to February 2010, while
Rep. Hastings was co-chairman of the commission.34 In March 2011, Ms. Packer filed a civil
suit in federal court alleging sexual harassment.35 In her lawsuit, Ms. Packer alleged that she
22

Chris Brennan and William Bender, Longtime Chaka Fattah Aide Folds to Feds, Philadelphia Daily News, August
28, 2014.
23
Roebuck, Fazlollah and McCoy, Philadelphia Inquirer, August 27, 2014.
24
Julie Shaw, Feds Indict Chaka Fattah Jr. on Fraud Charges, Philadelphia Daily News, August 7, 2014.
25
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Luis V. Gutirrez, March 20, 2014.
26
Paul Singer, Rep. Gutierrez Racks up Thousands in Legal Fees, USA Today, March 17, 2014.
27
Scofield Communications / Scofield Company, Illinois Lobbying Entity Annual Registrations, 2003-2014.
28
Paul Singer, Rep. Gutierrez Pays Chicago lobbyist With Tax Dollars, USA Today, June 5, 2013.
29
Singer, USA Today, June 5, 2013.
30
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Luis V. Gutirrez, March 20, 2014.
31
Id.
32
Andrew Miga, Alcee Hastings Faces Congressional Ethics Review, Associated Press, June 22, 2011; Press
Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Alcee L. Hastings and Representative Don Young, November 28,
2011.
33
Amanda Becker, Alcee Hastings, Don Young Face Possible Ethics Inquiries, Roll Call, November 28, 2011.
34
Miga, Associated Press, June 22, 2011.
35
Catalina Camia, Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., Sued For Alleged Sexual Harassment, USA Today, March 8, 2011.

was forced to endure unwelcome sexual advances, crude sexual comments, and unwelcome
touching by Mr. Hastings, and that Rep. Hastings and his staff threatened to fire her when she
refused his advances.36 In response, Rep. Hastings said he has never sexually harassed
anyone.37 On February 14, 2012, a federal judge dismissed the case against Rep. Hastings,
ruling that he cannot be held personally liable.38 Ms. Packers attorneys said they would
continue to pursue the case against the Commission.39 Previously, Rep. Hastings was under
investigation by the OCE and the House Ethics Committee for allegedly improperly retaining
excess per diem funds while on official travel. 40 The stipend is meant to cover meals and travel
expenses, and members are directed to return excess funds.41 Rep. Hastings told the Wall Street
Journal he had used his per diem to pay for drinks and gifts for other officials.42 The OCE
referred the investigation to the House Ethics Committee on July 30, 2010, recommending
further review.43 On December 31, 2010, the committee dropped the per diem investigation.44
Status: On October 13, 2011, the OCE referred its investigation of Rep. Hastings to the House
Ethics Committee. 45 On November 28, 2011, the chairman and ranking member decided to
extend the committees inquiry into Rep. Hastings conduct.46 On January 11, 2012, the House
Ethics Committee voted against conducting a full-scale investigation, but decided to continue its
preliminary review of the allegations.47

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)

Under Investigation by: The House Ethics Committee and the OCE.
Under Investigation for: Rep. McMorris Rodgers is under investigation for improperly
combining congressional resources and campaign resources.48 According to an investigation by
the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), from 2010 to 2012, Rep, McMorris Rodgers
congressional staff aided her in conducting campaign activities, including debate preparation and
speech writing while in congressional offices.49 Federal law prohibits the use of House resources

36

Id.; Miga, Associated Press, June 22, 2011.

Camia, USA Today, March 8, 2011.
38
Erika Bolstad, Judge Releases Hastings From Harassment Lawsuit, Miami Herald, February 14, 2012.
39
John Bresnahan and Jonathan Allen, Alcee Hastings Wins Ruling in Harassment Case, Politico, February 14,
2012.
40
Id.; House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 111th Congress, In the Matter of Allegations Relating to
the Use of Per Diem on Official Trips, Staff Report, December 30, 2010.
41
Letter from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Rep. Ike Skelton, May 13, 2010.
42
Brody Mullins and T.W. Farnam, Lawmakers Keep the Change, Wall Street Journal, March 2, 2010.
43
House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 111th Congress, In the Matter of Allegations Relating to the
Use of Per Diem on Official Trips, Staff Report, December 30, 2010.
44
Press Release, House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, Statement of the Chair and Ranking
Republican Member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct Regarding Representatives Robert
Aderholt, G.K. Butterfield, Eliot Engel, Alcee Hastings, Solomon Ortiz and Joe Wilson, December 31, 2010.
45
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, Nov. 28, 2011.
46
Id.
47
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Alcee L. Hastings, January 11, 2012; John Bresnahan, Alcee
Hastings Escapes House Ethics Committee Judgment, Politico, January 11, 2012.
48
Office of Congressional Ethics, United States House of Representatives, 113th Congress, Report and Findings
Related to Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Review No. 13-0906, December 12, 2013, p. 5 (OCE Report).
49
Id.
37

for campaign or political purposes.50 According to the OCE Report, in 2012, Rep. McMorris
Rodgers campaign committee paid a communications consultant to help her prepare for media
appearances for official congressional purposes.51 Federal law also prohibits members from
using campaign funds to defray the costs of official House expenses.52 Additionally, in 2012,
Rep. McMorris Rodgers used both campaign and congressional resources for her campaign for
Chair of the House Republican Conference.53 House rules prohibit members from using official
resources for House leadership races.54
Status: On December 12, 2013, the OCE referred its investigation of Rep. McMorris Rodgers to
the House Ethics Committee.55 On February 6, 2014, the chairman and ranking member decided
to extend the inquiry.56

Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY)

Under Investigation by: The DOJ.57
Under Investigation for: Federal investigators are looking into whether Rep. Meeks and several
other Queens politicians used several local nonprofit groups to benefit themselves, their families,
and their friends.58 Federal investigators are also examining a sweetheart deal Rep. Meeks
received on a house he purchased in 2006.59 Rep. Meeks bought the house from a campaign
contributor for $830,000, but a few months later the city assessed it at $1.24 million.60 Finally,
the DOJ is investigating Rep. Meeks ties to convicted financier R. Allen Stanford.61
Previously, the OCE investigated Rep. Meeks for two loans he received to pay off and furnish
his house: a $40,000 loan he received from a personal friend, Edul Ahmad, in 2007, and a
$59,650 loan he received in 2010 to pay off the earlier loan.62 The House Ethics Committee also
investigated the 2007 loan, but dismissed the allegations surrounding the 2010 loan following the
OCEs recommendation.63 On May 18, 2011, the OCE referred its investigation of Rep. Meeks
50

OCE Report, p. 8
OCE Report, 5.
52
OCE Report, p. 25.
53
OCE Report, 5.
54
OCE Report, p. 28.
55
OCE Report, p. 6.
56
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, March 24, 2014.
57
John Bresnahan, Subpoena Issued to Gregory Meeks in Probe, Politico, April 15, 2010; Press Release, House
Committee on Ethics, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member Regarding Mr. Michael Collins, Mr. Greg
Hill, Representative Gregory Meeks, and Representative Jean Schmidt, July 1, 2011.
58
Kenneth Lovett, Barbara Ross and Greg B. Smith, Federal Grand Jury Probes Real Estate and Nonprofit Deals for
Malcolm Smith, Other Queens Pols, New York Daily News, April 2, 2010.
59
Id.; Eric Lipton and Raymond Hernandez, Congressman Dries Poor, But Lifestyle May Disagree, New York
Times, March 19, 2010.
60
Id.; Complaint filed with the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct by the National Legal and Policy
Center, March 19, 2010.
61
Rob Barry, Michael Sallah, and Gerrardo Reyes, Gregory Meeks Trip to Venezuela on Behalf of Stanfords Bank
Raises Ethics Questions, Miami Herald, December 27, 2009.
62
Office of Congressional Ethics, 112th Congress, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Gregory Meeks, Review No.
11-1048, April 29, 2011.
63
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member
Regarding Representative Gregory Meeks, August 5, 2011; Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein, House Ethics Panel
Probing Meeks Money, New York Post, January 30, 2011.
51

to the House Ethics Committee.64 On December 18, 2012, the House Ethics Committee cleared
Rep. Meeks of any wrongdoing surrounding the loan.65 The committee found no credible
evidence that Rep. Meeks failure to disclose the loan on his financial disclosure forms for three
years was knowing or willful.66 The committee also accepted Rep. Meeks claim that the loan
terms were agreed to in writing and that the loan documents had been lost.67
Status: On April 13, 2010, Rep. Meeks announced on the House floor that a federal grand jury
had served him with a subpoena relating to their investigation of Rep. Meeks ties to the
nonprofit groups.68 On July 28, 2012, the New York Post reported the U.S. Attorneys Office
had issued a subpoena to one of the nonprofits seeking information about the federal funding
Rep. Meeks secured for the group.69 In July 2012, the FBI arrested Mr. Ahmad on unrelated
charges of mortgage fraud, and in October 2012, he submitted a guilty plea.70 He is awaiting
sentencing.71 The status of the investigations concerning Rep. Meeks ties to Allen Stanford and
his home purchase is unknown.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

Under Investigation by: The Senate Ethics Committee and the DOJ.72
Under Investigation for: Sen. Menendez is under investigation for accepting gifts from a donor
who flew him to the Dominican Republic on a private jet.73 Sen. Menendez acknowledged
taking two flights from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen and failed to declare the flights as
gifts on his personal financial disclosure forms.74 In January 2013, more than two years after
taking the trips and after questions were raised publicly about them, Sen. Menendez paid for
them with a personal check of $58,500.75 Dan OBrien, the senators chief of staff, said the
delay in paying for the trips was an oversight, and characterized it as sloppy.76 In March
2013, the Washington Post reported that a federal grand jury in Miami was investigating Sen.
Menendez and examining his role in advocating for the business interests of Dr. Melgen.77 On
64

Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member
Regarding Mr. Michael Collins, Mr. Greg Hill, Representative Gregory Meeks, and Representative Jean Schmidt,
July 1, 2011.
65
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member
Regarding Representative Gregory W. Meeks, December 20, 2012.
66
Id.
67
Id.
68
Bresnahan, Politico, April 15, 2010.
69
Isabel Vincent and Melissa Klein, Feds Question Meeks Over Millions Steered to Qns. Nonprofit, New York Post,
July 28, 2012.
70
Adam B. Ellick, Queens Broker Is Accused of Brining Immigrants Ruin, New York Times, January 8, 2012; John
Marzulli, Real Estate Agent With Ties to Rep. Gregory Meeks Admits to $14 Million Mortgage Fraud Scheme, New
York Daily News, October 10, 2012.
71
Id.
72
Paul Kane, Senate Ethics Panel Reviews Gift Accusations Against Menendez, Washington Post, January 31,
2013; Carol D. Leonnig and Peter Wallsten, Grand Jury Investigating Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), People
Familiar With Probe Say, Washington Post, March 14, 2013.
73
Id.
74
Id.; Michael Isikoff, Jonathan Dienst, Joe Valiquette, Pete Williams and Shimon Prokupec, Sen. Menendez
Reimburses Fundraiser for 2 Private Jet Trips, NBC News, January 31, 2013.
75
Pete Yost, Menendez Says He Reimbursed Donor for 2 Jaunts, Associated Press, January 30, 2013.
76
Isikoff, Dienst, Valiquette, Williams and Prokupec, NBC News, Jan. 31, 2013.
77
Leonnig and Wallsten, Washington Post, March 14, 2013.

January 25, 2014, NBC 4 New York reported that the DOJ was also investigating Sen.
Menendezs ties to William and Roberto Isaias, fugitive bankers from Ecuador.78 Sen.
Menendez contacted both the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department in
support of the brothers, whose families donated significant funds in 2012 to Sen. Menendez and
the Democratic Party.79
Status: The status of the Senate Ethics Committee investigation is unknown.80 In December
2013, the Miami Herald reported that the grand jury was continuing to review the evidence of
Sen. Menendezs interventions on behalf of Dr. Melgen.81 In July 2014, the Washington Post
reported that DOJs public-integrity section and the FBI were still pursuing the inquiry into Sen.
Menendez and were considering possible charges against him.82 On March 6, 2015, CNN
reported that the DOJ was preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against Sen.
Menendez.83 On April 1, 2015, a federal grand jury indicted Sen. Menendez for one count of
conspiracy, one count of violating the travel act, eight counts of bribery, three counts of honest
services fraud, and one count of making false statements.84 On April 2, 2015, Sen. Menendez
pleaded not guilty on all criminal charges brought against him.85

Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)

Under Investigation by: The House Ethics Committee and the OCE.
Under Investigation for: Rep. Mullin is under investigation for exceeding outside earned
income limits and advertising for his family plumbing business while serving as a member of
Congress.86 According to an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), Rep.
Mullin is affiliated with five plumbing companies based in Oklahoma.87 In 2013, he appeared in
several radio, television and internet ads promoting the companies and also served as a board
member for the companies.88 According to the OCEs report, in 2013, Rep. Mullin received a
$300,000 distribution from Mullin Plumbing West which is wholly owned by his wife.89 In
total, Rep, Mullin received over $600,000 in income from the five companies.90 For the calendar
year 2013, federal law limited the amount of outside income members can earn to $26,955.91

78

Jonathan Dienst, Exclusive: Federal Probe Into New Jersey Sen. Menendez is Widening, NBC 4 New York,
January 25, 2014.
79
Id.
80
Kane, Washington Post, Jan. 31, 2013.
81
Jay Weaver, Miami Grand Jury Issues No Charges Against Sen. Menendez, but Probe Continues, Miami Herald,
December 4, 2013.
82
Carol D. Leonnig and Manuel Roig-Franzia, Sen. Robert Menendez Seeks Probe of Alleged Cuban Plot to Smear
Him, Washington Post, July 7, 2014.
83
Evan Perez and Shimon Prokupecz, Sen. Bob Menendez: Im Not Going Anywhere, CNN, March 6, 2015.
84
Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice, Senator Robert Menendez and Dr. Salomon Melgen Indicted for
Conspiracy, Bribery, and Honest Services Fraud, April 1, 2015.
85
Alexandra Jaffe, Menendez Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption Charges, CNN, April 2, 2015.
86
Office of Congressional Ethics, United States House of Representatives, 113th Congress, Report and Findings
Related to Rep. Markwayne Mullin, Review No. 13-2392, December 12, 2013, p. 4 (OCE Report).
87
OCE Report, p. 8.
88
OCE Report, p. 10-14.
89
Id.
90
Id.
91
OCE Report, p. 6

Federal law also prohibits members from endorsing or selling any goods or services while
serving in the House.92
Status: On December 12, 2013, the OCE referred its investigation of Rep. Mullin to the House
Ethics Committee.93 On February 6, 2014, the chairman and ranking member decided to extend
the inquiry.94

Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL)

Under Investigation by: The House Ethics Committee and the OCE.
Under Investigation for: Rep. Rush is under investigation for receiving free office rental space
as well as his use of campaign funds to make donations to his church.95 A series of articles
published in December 2013 by the Better Government Association and the Chicago Sun-Times
raised questions about Rep. Rushs personal and professional finances.96 In 1989, when Rep.
Rush was a Chicago alderman, he leased an office on the South Side of Chicago, which was paid
for by the city of Chicago.97 Rep. Rush continued to use the office space after he entered
Congress in 1993, but without paying rent as the landlord wrote off the costs.98 Beginning in
2007, Rep. Rushs campaign committee contributed more than $71,000 to Rep. Rushs church,
where he is also the pastor.99
Status: On June 10, 2014, the OCE referred its investigation of Rep. Rush to the House Ethics
Committee.100 On July 25, 2014, the chairman and ranking member decided to extend the
inquiry.101 On November 10, 2014, the Committee announced that it would continue its review
of the matters involving Rep. Rush and released the OCEs report on the matter.102 The OCE
found substantial reason to believe that Rep. Rush improperly accepted in-kind contributions as
well as impermissible gifts or special favors in the form of rental space.103 The OCE also
recommended the dismissal of the allegations regarding the church donations.

Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY)

Under Investigation by: The House Ethics Committee and the OCE.
Under Investigation for: Rep. Whitfield is under investigation for permitting his wife to lobby
92

OCE Report, p. 8.
OCE Report, p. 5.
94
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Markwayne Mullin, March 24, 2014.
95
Office of Congressional Ethics, 113th Congress, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Bobby Rush, Review No.
14-8751, May 29, 2014.
96
http://www.bettergov.org/investigations/a_rush_of_financial_questions.aspx.
97
Katherine Skiba, Report Spells Out Alleged Ethics Misconduct by Rep. Rush, Chicago Tribune, November 11,
2014.
98
Id.
99
Office of Congressional Ethics, 113th Congress, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Bobby Rush, Review No.
14-8751, May 29, 2014.
100
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Bobby L. Rush, July 25, 2014.
101
Id.
102
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Bobby L. Rush, November 10, 2014.
103
Office of Congressional Ethics, 113th Congress, Report, Review No. 14-8751, May 29, 2014.
93

him and his congressional office in addition to granting her special favors or privileges in her
capacity as a lobbyist.104 In 2011, Rep. Whitfields wife, Connie Harriman-Whitfield, registered
as a lobbyist for the Humane Society Legislative Fund.105 From 2011 to 2014, Ms. HarrimanWhitfield contacted Rep. Whitfields congressional staff on numerous occasions concerning
legislation on which she lobbied.106 Rep. Whitfields office assisted Ms. Harriman-Whitfields
employer in its lobbying efforts during this time period, including setting up as many as 100
meetings with other congressional offices.107
Status: On June 10, 2014, the OCE referred its investigation of Rep. Whitfield to the House
Ethics Committee.108 On July 25, 2014, the chairman and ranking member decided to extend the
inquiry.109 On November 10, 2014, the Committee announced that it would continue its review
of the matters involving Rep. Whitfield and released the OCEs report on the matter.110 The
OCE found substantial reason to believe that Rep. Whitfield permitted his wife to lobby his
office and that he used his congressional office to advance her lobbying efforts.111 On March 25,
2015, the Committee voted unanimously to establish an investigative subcommittee to determine
with Rep. Whitfield violated the law or any other applicable standard of conduct.112

104

Office of Congressional Ethics, 113th Congress, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Ed Whitfield, Review No.
14-2940, May 29, 2014.
105
Id.; R.G. Dunlop, Federal Ethics Probe Finds Probably Violations by Congressman Ed Whitfield, Kentucky
Center for Investigative Reporting, November 10, 2014.
106
Office of Congressional Ethics, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Ed Whitfield, Review No. 14-2940, May
29, 2014
107
Id.
108
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Ed Whitfield, July 25, 2014.
109
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Ed Whitefield, July 25, 2014.
110
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 113th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Ed Whitfield, November 10, 2014.
111
Office of Congressional Ethics, Report and Findings Related to Rep. Ed Whitfield, Review No. 14-2940, May
29, 2014.
112
Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 114th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Ed Whitfield, March 27, 2015.