The House Ethics Committee closed investigations into at least four members Monday for violating campaign finance rules.
The investigations involved Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Wesley Hunt (R-Tex.), Ronny Jackson (R-Tex.), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) and “other confidential matters that have been under review.” The committee declined to disclose further details on those cases.
The House panel found that, in at least some of those cases, “evidence that the Member’s campaign did not fully comply with the applicable standards relating to personal use of campaign funds, as well as reporting or recordkeeping requirements for campaign expenditures.” But the Ethics Committee did not find that misuse was intentional and unanimously decided to close the cases, declining to take further action.
House lawmakers cannot use campaign funds for personal matters, but the committee noted in its press release that existing rules under the Federal Election Commission are unclear and released updated rules on campaign expenses. Although the panel will not take disciplinary action, it did provide those lawmakers who were investigated with updated guidance and recommendations for their campaign spending.
Bishop was accused of allegedly misusing tens of thousands of dollars in official and campaign funds. The Office of Congressional Ethics, or OCE, referred Jackson to the committee in March, after finding evidence that his campaign committee had allegedly spent thousands of dollars at a private dining club called the Amarillo Club. OCE also referred Hunt in March over allegations that he used campaign funds to access a social club called the Oak Room. OCE referred Mooney to the committee in late 2021 for allegations over accepting a trip to Aruba.
In a statement, Jackson hailed the Ethics Committee’s conclusion as evidence that exonerated him from the charges, saying that he did not use funds for personal use.
“I am glad to put this ridiculous, partisan, and politically motivated matter behind me, and I am looking forward to working alongside President Trump to improve the lives of my constituents and all Americans,” he said.
The announcement comes on the heels of the public release of the Ethics Committee’s report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, which found evidence that he allegedly had sexual relations with a minor and used illegal drugs. Gaetz has denied all allegations.
