Ethics Committee Ends DeLay Fact-Finding
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - The House ethics committee ended its initial information gathering Monday and now must decide whether to order a formal investigation of whether Majority Leader Tom DeLay has misused his office.
The ethics panel could meet this week to determine whether to appoint an investigative subcommittee, but there is no deadline. The informal fact-finding had to end Monday under a committee timetable.
A three-part complaint was filed by a Democratic lawmaker defeated in the primary, Rep. Chris Bell of Texas.
Two allegations directly involve use of DeLay's congressional office. One accuses the Texas Republican of soliciting corporate contributions in return for assistance on legislation.
A second contends he improperly used his staff to contact U.S. aviation authorities, asking them to track down Texas Democratic legislators who had fled the state while trying to thwart a DeLay-backed redistricting plan.
The third allegation accuses DeLay of using his political action committees to distribute money from corporations to Texas legislative candidates in violation of state law.
DeLay has replied to the committee, but has not released his response publicly.
Last week, committee chairman Joel Hefley, R-Colo., and senior Democrat Alan Mollohan of West Virginia said they had been reviewing information but had not determined how to proceed.
ON THE NET
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct:
http://www.house.gov/ethics /
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=841492Thank you to Darby and Ginbarn!
Last chance -- Hold Tom DeLay accountable - Contact Ethics Comm NOW
CONTACT THE CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE (5 Dems, 5 Republicans) TO DEMAND THAT THEY VOTE FOR A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST TOM DELAY AT THIER SEPT. 20, 2004 MEETING. If they don't vote to proceed - Tom DeLay will not be held accountable for what he has done (and will be even more emboldened, if that is possible.)
The complaint covers three well-supported allegations:
1) DeLay's soliciting a bribe from Westar Energy in return for an amendment to the energy bill that would have resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the company;
2) DeLay's use of his PAC, Texans for a Republican Majority to launder corporate money, converting such funds into hard dollars that were donated directly to candidates for the Texas State Legislature; and
3) DeLay's use of the Federal Aviation Administration to track down a plane carrying Texas legislators who had left the State to avoid voting on DeLay's partisan redistricting plan.
***
ETHICS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
http://www.house.gov/ethics/CommitteeMembers.htm 10 Members = 5 Dems + 5 Republicans
THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS:
JOEL HEFLEY - Colorado
2372 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-4422 voice
202-225-1942 fax
http://www.house.gov/hefley/contact.shtm DOC HASTINGS – Washington
1323 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4704
(202) 225-5816
Fax: (202) 225-3251
http://www.house.gov/hastings/district.html JUDY BIGGERT – Illinois
1213 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3515
Fax: 202-225-9420
http://judybiggert.house.gov/contact.asp STEVEN LATOURETTE – Ohio
2453 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone - (202) 225-5731
http://www.house.gov/latourette/contact.htm KEN HULSHOF - Missouri
412 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-2509
Phone: (202) 225-2956
Fax: (202) 225-5712
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bio/?id=360&lvl=C Read the ethics complaint at
http://www.citizensforethics.org/activities/20040615 /
THEN MEDIA BLAST YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ON THIS
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