U.S. House Ethics Committee has announced that it will continue its investigation of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL,1). The investigation involves free rent the congressman reportedly took advantage of for his congressional office, which could be a violation of House rules and state and federal laws.
The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), which recommended Rush's case to the committee, also publicly released a report on its investigation of the congressman. The OCE, is an independent, non-partisan group of eight members that looks into potential misconduct among U.S. representatives, and, if necessary, will refer cases to the chamber's Ethics Committee.
"The Committee notes that the mere fact of conducting further review of a referral, and any mandatory disclosure of such further review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee," a statement from the ethics committee stated.
Rush says he will continue to work with the Ethic Committee to reach an amicable resolution.
"I remain hopeful that the Committee will work with me on a mutually
agreeable resolution of the remaining matter outlined in the report
and will take into account my cooperation from the outset as well as
my willingness to adhere to any guidance that House Ethics has made,
or will make, available to me," Rush said in a statement.
The Chicago Democrat has also been under fire recently for the questionable spending of campaign funds, with the money going to the Beloved Community Christian Church, where he is a pastor.
Click through for more on this story.