Illinois Congressman’s Hiring of Lobbyist Faulted
By Matthew Daly from Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee said Monday it will not appoint a special panel to investigate allegations that Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois improperly hired a Chicago lobbyist to act as a de facto staff member for a decade.
The committee’s top two leaders, Reps. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., said they are not formally dismissing Gutierrez’s actions but will instead continue to review the matter under their own authority. In practical terms, the decision means it is unlikely that the 11-term lawmaker from Chicago will face charges or sanctions.
The independent Office of Congressional Ethics said in a report that there is substantial reason to believe that Gutierrez violated federal law and House rules in hiring lobbyist Doug Scofield to work side by side with his congressional staff on a range of issues while Scofield also was representing other clients. Scofield is a former Gutierrez chief of staff.
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