Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/105487946/Rob-Andrews-D-NJ-CREW-s-Most-Corrupt-Members-of-Congress
Timestamp: 2018-03-19 20:28:46
Document Index: 77823780

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 439', '§ 113', '§ 439', '§ 439', '§ 113', '§ 437', '§ 441', '§ 2635', 'art 2']

Rob Andrews (D-NJ) - CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress | United States House Of Representatives | Campaign Finance In The United States
MOST CORRUPT: REPRESENTATIVE ROB ANDREWS Representative Rob Andrews (D-NJ) is a twelve-term member of Congress, representing New Jersey’s
1st congressional district. His ethics issues stem from using campaign money for personal expenses and earmarking to his wife’s employer. Using Campaign Money for Personal Expenses In 2009, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) found Rep. Andrews had violated the law when he used campaign contributions to pay for clothing. 1 Rep. Andrews repaid $952 to his campaign committee, and the FEC ordered him to take steps to avoid any other such violations. 2 Despite that, he has repeatedly spent campaign money on personal expenses. Scotland Wedding In June 2011, Rep. Andrews and his family flew to Scotland, allegedly to attend a donor’s wedding, one part of a larger family vacation. 3 Rep. Andrews, his wife, and their two daughters spent three nights at the five-star Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, at a cost of $7,725. 4 The hotel bill included charges for gratuities, the in-room bar, flowers, and ground transportation. 5 The costs also included $2,062 on fees for flight changes and travel agent costs (not counting the flights themselves), and $592 for meals, transportation, and newspapers. 6 In addition, Rep. Andrews took $2,610 in petty cash. 7 The Andrews family gave the couple a set of fine china as a wedding gift, at a cost of $463. 8 In total, Rep. Andrews charged his campaign committee, Andrews for Congress, 9 more than $13,000 for expenses associated with the trip. 10
Federal Election Commission, Notification with Factual and Legal Analysis to The Honorable Robert E. Andrews: MUR No. 6140, July 14, 2009. 2 Id. 3 Matt Friedman, South Jersey Congressman Spent $9,000 from Campaign Funds on Donor’s Wedding, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), November 19, 2011. 4 Id.; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 October Quarterly Report, October 14, 2011; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012. 5 Office of Congressional Ethics, 112th Congress, Report, Review No. 11-3260, March 23, 2012 (OCE Report), p.18. 6 Id.; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 October Quarterly Report, October 14, 2011. 7 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 July Quarterly Report, July 14, 2011; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012. Rep. Andrews later said most of the petty cash was returned, but did not specify how much. The balance was apparently used for tips, transportation, and some food. OCE Report, p. 17. 8 Id.; Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011. 9 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 1, Statement of Organization, Amended, March 27, 2012. 10 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 July Quarterly Report, July 14, 2011; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012.
On November 19, 2011, the New Jersey Star-Ledger detailed Rep. Andrews’ use of campaign funds for the Scotland trip and other seemingly personal expenses. 11 In response, Rep. Andrews said the trip costs were legitimate campaign expenses because the wedding was for a campaign donor and adviser, whom he declined to identify. 12 His staff said the Andrews family spent more than $25,000 paying for personal aspects of the trip, and his chief of staff, Fran Tagmire, specifically noted that, “Andrews for Congress Campaign Committee did not pay for the airfare” – implying that the Andrews family had paid for their own plane tickets. 13 Rep. Andrews did, in fact, originally use a personal credit card to pay for the airfare, but the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) found Rep. Andrews’ wife, Camille Andrews, and Mr. Tagmire subsequently told the travel agency to refund the $16,574.88 charge. 14 Ms. Andrews and Mr. Tagmire then arranged to have money wired from Rep. Andrews’ leadership political action committee (PAC) to the travel agent to pay for the tickets. 15 Within three days of the Star-Ledger article, Rep. Andrews said he would repay the money spent on the trip. 16 On November 30, 2011, Rep. Andrews refunded $13,453 to Andrews for Congress, covering the costs for the Balmoral hotel, petty cash, meals, transportation, travel fees, and other trip expenses. 17 In addition, Rep. Andrews reimbursed his leadership PAC $16,574 for airfare and insurance for himself, his wife, and his daughters. 18 Although newspapers had originally reported Rep. Andrews had charged his campaign “more than $9,000” to attend the Scotland wedding, in fact, it appears his campaign committee and PAC paid more than triple that amount: at least $30,000. 19 OCE investigators looking into Rep. Andrews’ use of campaign money interviewed Scott Street, the groom from the Scotland wedding, regarding his relationship with Rep. Andrews. 20 Mr. Street, a lawyer and former political researcher, said he gave Rep. Andrews informal advice on a few occasions in 2004 and 2008, but was never a member of Rep. Andrews’ paid campaign
Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 October Quarterly Report, October 14, 2011; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended , April 13, 2012. 12 Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011. 13 Why George Norcross Won’t Back Christie for Governor: ‘I’m a Democrat’, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), May 20, 2012. 14 OCE Report, p. 14. 15 Id. 16 John Barna, Andrews: To Return Campaign Fund Money Originally Used to Attend Wedding in Scotland, Gloucester County Times, November 22, 2011. 17 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012. 18 Star-Ledger (New Jersey), May 20, 2012; Committee to Strengthen America, FEC Form 3X, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, May 28, 2012. 19 Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012; Committee to Strengthen America, FEC Form 3X, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, May 28, 2012. 20 OCE Report, Exhibit 3, Memorandum of Interview, Witness 1, March 5, 2012. The OCE refers to Mr. Street only as Witness 1, but during his interview with OCE, Rep. Andrews refers to Mr. Street, who is identified by both OCE and Rep. Andrews as the groom in the Scotland wedding. OCE Report, Exhibit 1, Transcript of Interview of Congressman Rob Andrews, March 6, 2012.
staff. 21 Mr. Street made only one contribution to Rep. Andrews’ campaign: $250 in 2010. 22 Rep. Andrews, meanwhile, told investigators he went to the wedding with the goal of “enriching and broadening” his relationship with Mr. Street, in hopes Mr. Street would be willing to provide campaign services when needed. 23 Graduation Party In June 2011, Andrews for Congress spent $10,000 on a party Rep. Andrews hosted at his New Jersey home. 24 The event was described as “from elegant to carnival fun.” 25 Party guests included both political and personal acquaintances, who received different invitations to the event. 26 One invitation, sent from Andrews for Congress, described the party as a joint celebration of Rep. Andrews’ 20 years in Congress and of his daughter Jacqueline’s high school graduation. 27 A second invitation described the party only as a graduation celebration for Jacqueline Andrews. 28 Rep. Andrews told the OCE that his daughter’s guests made up a small fraction of the party’s attendees, and said the family paid far more than their share of expenses in an “abundance of caution.” 29 In addition, Ms. Andrews told the OCE that her daughter received gifts at the event from attendees, including some checks, though Ms. Andrews said she shredded all the checks without cashing them, offering no explanation for why she did so. 30 Rep. Andrews said he did not know whether his daughter received graduation gifts at the event. 31 Hollywood Travel Over the past five years, Andrews for Congress has spent at least $97,000 on California travel expenses, ostensibly so the congressman could attend fundraising events and political meetings. 32 The expenses include $32,000 since 2007 for lodging and expenses at the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel, more than $27,000 for the use of a limo service during those trips, and thousands of dollars more on airline tickets, meals, and other expenses. 33
OCE Report, Exhibit 3. OCE Report, p. 10. 23 OCE Report, pp. 10-11. 24 Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov.19, 2011. 25 Id. 26 Id. 27 Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011; OCE Report, p. 24. 28 Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011. 29 OCE Report, p. 26. 30 Id., p. 27. 31 Id. 32 Geoff Mulvihill, NJ Rep Used Campaign Funds on 18 Calif. Trips, Associated Press, March 28, 2012. 33 Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 October Quarterly Report, Amended, August 13, 2008; Andrews for Congress Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 April Quarterly Report, Amended, July 13, 2007; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2008 April Quarterly Report, Amended, August 13, 2008; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 Post General Report, Amended, January 29, 2009; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 July Quarterly Report, Amended, February 24, 2011; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2010 October Quarterly Report, Amended, February 24, 2011; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2010 Pre-Primary Report, Amended, October 13, 2010; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3,
Rep. Andrews made at least six trips to Los Angeles in 2011, and one of his two daughters accompanied him on each of the trips. 34 One daughter, Josie Andrews, is pursuing a career in show business. 35 Rep. Andrews has acknowledged using campaign funds to pay for Josie Andrews’ airfare and lodging on multiple occasions, and said she helped out with campaign fundraising and other work. 36 Nonetheless, he was unable to produce any notes or copies of work done by either of his daughters. 37 Notably, one of those trips, which took place in mid-November, coincided with a recording session Josie Andrews had with her Los Angeles production company. 38 In addition, Mr. Street told the OCE he had breakfast with Rep. Andrews and his daughter in Los Angeles on one occasion, and Josie Andrews told him she was in Los Angeles to record music. 39 Theater Donations Rep. Andrews has repeatedly donated to, or spent thousands of dollars at, theater companies where Josie Andrews performs. His donations and expenses often overlap with her performances. For example, from 2007 until 2011, Andrews for Congress donated more than $100,000 to Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre, where Josie Andrews has performed repeatedly since 2003. 40 In 2007, Josie Andrews performed in the musical Carousel, which ran from May until July 2007. 41 During the show’s run, Andrews for Congress reported spending $1,856 at the Walnut Street Theatre on gifts for donors and food expenses. 42 Most recently, she was a featured performer in the theater’s May 2011 gala. 43 Andrews for Congress has donated to the galas over the years, including a $12,500 donation in February 2011 specifically for the 2011 gala. 44 In addition, Rep. Andrews expensed $15 for parking at the theater to his campaign committee in May 2011, presumably when he attended the gala. 45 In November 2008, during a Prince Music Theater production of the musical West Side Story in which Josie Andrews played the lead role of Maria, Rep. Andrews’ campaign spent $1,401 holding events at the theater. 46 A month earlier, his campaign reported making a $5,000
2011 October Quarterly Report, October 14, 2012; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2011 July Quarterly Report, July 14, 2012. 34 OCE Report, p. 28. 35 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume. 36 OCE Report, p. 29; Friedman, Star-Ledger (New Jersey), Nov. 19, 2011. 37 Id.; OCE Report, p. 29. 38 Joelle Farrell, U.S. Rep. Andrews’ Travels Under Scrutiny Again, Philadelphia Inquirer, February 11, 2012; Jim Walsh, More Andrews Trips in Question, Cherry Hill Courier Post, February 9, 2012; Geoff Mulvihill, Watchdog Wants Spending by US Rep. Andrews Audited, New Jersey Herald, February 7, 2012. 39 OCE Report, p. 29. 40 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2007-2011 Reports; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume. 41 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume; http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/season/carousel.php. 42 Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 July Quarterly, Amended, April 12, 2008; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 October Quarterly Report, Amended, August 13, 2008. 43 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume. 44 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 April Quarterly Report, Amended, November 15, 2011. 45 Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2011 July Quarterly Report, July 14, 2012. 46 http://www.stageagent.com/JosieAndrews/Resume; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 Post General Report, Amended, January 29, 2009.
charitable donation directly benefiting the “West Side Story project.” 47 His campaign made two other donations to the Prince Music Theater between 2007 and 2009, totaling $2,750. 48 Josie Andrews has also performed with the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. 49 Andrews for Congress paid $4,136 to the Broadway Theatre of Pitman between 2007 through 2011 for gifts for donors, donations, tickets, and events. 50 During 2007 runs of Oliver and Home for the Holidays, both of which featured Josie Andrews, Andrews for Congress spent $962 at the theater for events, gifts for donors, and contributions. 51 During January and February 2008 performances of Hello Dolly, another production including Josie Andrews, Andrews for Congress spent $661 for gifts for donors. 52 Andrews for Congress spent another $1,297 at the theater between March 2008 and January 2011. 53 In November and December 2007, the Grand Opera House of Delaware hosted performances of Home for the Holidays in which Josie Andrews performed. 54 Andrews for Congress paid $3,952 to the Grand Opera House in November and December 2007 for event expenses and gifts for donors. 55 The campaign paid an additional $2,754 to the Grand Opera House in 2008, 56 although it is unclear whether Josie Andrews participated in any performances there that year. In addition, in 2009 Rep. Andrews charged his campaign committee $119 for meals at Six Flags/Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey on the same day Josie Andrews performed there as an opening act for singer-actress Raven-Symoné. 57
Id. Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 July Quarterly, Amended, April 12, 2008; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 April Quarterly Report, Amended, June 30, 2009. 49 http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume. 50 Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2007-2011 Reports. 51 http://www.thebroadwaytheatre.org/?go=ecalendar, October 2007-December 2007; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 Year-End Report, Amended, August 13, 2008. 52 http://www.thebroadwaytheatre.org/?go=ecalendar, January 2008-February 2008; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, April Quarterly Report, Amended, August 13, 2008. 53 Josie performed in Grease in June 2008 and Annie Get Your Gun in January-February 2009. http://www.stageagent.com/JosieAndrews/Resume; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume; http://www.thebroadwaytheatre.org/?go=ecalendar, June 2008 and January-February 2009; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2007-2011 Reports. 54 http://eventful.com/wilmington_de/events/home-holidays-/E0-001-006757154-6@2007122219; http://www.stageagent.com/JosieAndrews/Resume; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2573409/resume. Home for the Holidays appears to have been performed at both the Broadway Theatre and the Grand Opera House during winter 2007. 55 Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 Year-End Report, Amended, August 13, 2008. 56 Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 Post General Report, Amended, January 29, 2009; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 Year-End Report, January 30, 2009; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 April Quarterly Report, Amended, June 30, 2009. 57 http://thejerseygirlblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/raven-symone-at-six-flags.html; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 October Quarterly, October 14, 2009.
Earmarking to His Wife’s Employer Rep. Andrews’ wife is the associate dean of enrollment and projects at Rutgers University School of Law, which has received more than $1.5 million in earmarks from Rep. Andrews. 58 The School of Law earmarks comprise more than 90 percent of Rep. Andrews’ total earmarks to Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey. 59 In fiscal year 2008, Rep. Andrews earmarked $613,000 to Rutgers University School of Law for student scholarships and loan repayment, internships, and public interest programming. 60 In fiscal year 2009, Rep. Andrews earmarked $428,000 to Rutgers University School of Law for financial assistance to students participating in the pro bono community service program. 61 In fiscal year 2010, Rep. Andrews earmarked $500,000 to Rutgers University School of Law for its public interest legal program. 62 Status of Investigations In November 2011, CREW filed a complaint with the FEC against Rep. Andrews. 63 The status of the investigation is pending. In addition, Tom Booth, the chairman of the Camden County (NJ) Republican Party, asked the House Ethics Committee to investigate Rep. Andrews’ personal use of campaign funds. 64 The Office of Congressional Ethics investigated Rep. Andrews and, on April 2, 2012, referred his case to the House Ethics Committee. 65 The OCE found there was substantial reason to believe Rep. Andrews improperly used congressional campaign and leadership PAC funds for personal use to pay expenses related to his family’s Scotland trip, his daughter’s graduation party, and the trips to Los Angeles, as well as other possible misspending. 66 On August 31, 2012, the House Ethics Committee said it would extend its review and continue to gather information in the case. 67
http://andrews.house.gov/about-me/full-biography; http://www.legistorm.com/member_family/107/Rob_Andrews.html. 59 http://www.legistorm.com/member_family/107/Rob_Andrews.html. 60 http://www.legistorm.com/earmark/9901.html. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) co-sponsored this earmark. 61 http://www.legistorm.com/earmark/26619.html. 62 http://www.legistorm.com/earmark/50839.html. 63 FEC Complaint filed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, filed November 30, 2011, available at http://crew.3cdn.net/975109344b38afe290_ffm6bdqoa.pdf; supplementary complaint filed February 16, 2012, available at http://crew.3cdn.net/7a225c64933a3c2136_s2m6bc125.pdf. 64 Joelle Farrell, U.S. Rep. Andrews Says he Will Repay Campaign for his Trip to Scotland and Direct the Funds to Homeless Vets, Philadelphia Inquirer, November 23, 2011; Eileen Stillwell, Rep. Andrews to Repay Trip Costs Exceeding 9K for Family’s Scotland Trip, Asbury Park Press, November 23, 2011. 65 Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Robert Andrews, July 17, 2012. 66 OCE Report, p. 1. 67 Press Release, House Committee on Ethics, 112th Congress, Statement of the Chairman and Ranking Republican of the Committee on Ethics Regarding Representative Robert Andrews, August 31, 2012.
Legal Fees Rep. Andrews’ campaign committee hired Brand Law Group most recently in December 2011 and has paid the firm $110,242 in legal fees since then. 68 The committee previously hired Brand Law Group in 2007, and again in 2009. 69 Potential Violations Conversion of Campaign Funds to Personal Use – Statute The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits a candidate for federal office from using campaign funds to pay the personal obligations of the candidate. The Act states that “a contribution or donation . . . shall not be converted by any person to personal use.” 70 The Act further specifies that “a contribution or donation shall be considered to be converted to personal use if the contribution or amount is used to fulfill any commitment, obligation, or expense of a person that would exist irrespective of the candidate’s election campaign or individual’s duties as a holder of Federal office, including . . . a vacation or other noncampaign-related trip . . . [or] admission to a sporting event, concert, theater, or other form of entertainment not associated with an election campaign.” 71 By using campaign funds to pay for his family’s trip to Scotland, for a graduation party for his daughter, Jacqueline Andrews, and to subsidize the fledgling acting and singing career of his daughter, Josie Andrews, Rep. Andrews likely violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 439a(b)(2)(E) and (H) and 11 C.F.R. §§ 113.1(g)(1)(i)(F) and (J). Further, if Rep. Andrews’ conduct was knowing and willful, he likely violated criminal law. 72 Conversion of Campaign Funds to Personal Use – House Rule House Rule 23 provides that a member of Congress “may not convert campaign funds to personal use in excess of an amount representing reimbursement for legitimate and verifiable campaign expenditures.” 73 Further, Rule 23, clause 6(a) requires each member to “keep his campaign funds separate from his personal funds.” 74 The rule also provides that all campaign funds must be used for “bona fide campaign or political purposes.” 75 The Committee has warned members to keep in mind that each campaign outlay must not only be “legitimate,” but
Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2011 Year-End Report, Amended, April 13, 2012; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2012 April Quarterly Report, April 15, 2012; Andrews for Congress, FEC Form 3, 2012 July Quarterly, July 15, 2012. 69 Andrews for Congress Committee, FEC Form 3, 2007 April Quarterly Report, Amended, July 13, 2007; Rob Andrews U.S. House Committee, FEC Form 3, 2009 October Quarterly, October 14, 2009. 70 2 U.S.C. § 439a(b)(1). 71 2 U.S.C. §§ 439a(b)(2)(E) and (H); see also 11 C.F.R. §§ 113.1(g)(1)(i)(F) and (J). 72 2 U.S.C. § 437g(d)(1)(A)(i). 73 Rule 23, cl. 6(b); House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, House Ethics Manual, p. 163 (110th Cong., 2d Sess., 2008 ed.). 74 Id. 75 Rule 23, cl. 6(c); House Ethics Manual, pp. 152, 163.
also “verifiable,” as such. 76 This requirement is “separate from, and in addition to, whatever recordkeeping requirements are imposed by the Federal Election Commission . . .” 77 The Committee has held that in the case of travel expenses, when the primary purpose of a trip is personal in nature, the airfare “may not be paid with campaign funds and must be paid with personal funds.” 78 While members have the responsibility to determine what the “primary purpose” of a trip is, “that determination must be made in a reasonable manner, taking into account all of the activities” in which the member engages during the trip. 79 As an example of a trip that may not be financed with campaign funds, the House Ethics Manual offers: A Member is taking a one-week trip that has a recreational purpose, except that during the trip, she will attend a party fundraising dinner. Campaign funds may not be used to pay the airfare for the trip, and may be used solely to pay the additional meal or lodging expenses (if any) that the Member necessarily incurs in attending that dinner. 80 The Ethics Manual also notes that the use of campaign funds to pay for any meal when the only individuals present are a member and his or her friends or family, “inherently raises concerns of conversion of campaign funds to personal use.” 81 To verify that such meals are, in fact, legitimate campaign expenses, the Committee has stated that “the maintenance of specific, written records is essential” and when “frequent or extensive” the maintenance of such records is “paramount.” 82 Members are also prohibited from using their campaign funds for anyone else’s personal purposes. Therefore, members may not use campaign funds to benefit a business owned or controlled by a member’s relative. 83 If an expense is both campaign-related and benefits someone personally, the campaign may only underwrite its pro rata share. 84 By using his campaign funds for his family’s trip to Scotland, for Jacqueline Andrews’ graduation party, for his and Josie Andrews’ travel to Los Angeles in support of her show business career, and to support theaters where Josie Andrews performed, Rep. Andrews likely violated House Rule 23.
Id., p. 163. Id., p. 165 (emphasis in original). 78 Id., p. 168. 79 House Ethics Manual, p. 168 (emphasis in original). 80 Id., p. 169. 81 Id. 82 Id. 83 House Ethics Manual, p. 166. 84 Id.
Excessive Contributions The FECA limits the amount of contributions a leadership PAC may donate to a candidate, and the amount a candidate can accept from a leadership PAC. 85 Under the rules, when leadership PAC funds pay “costs that could and should otherwise be paid for by a candidate’s authorized committee,” they are in-kind contributions subject to this limit. 86 The contribution limit for Rep. Andrews’ leadership PAC in 2011 was $2,500 per election, and any contribution over those limits was an illegal excessive contribution. 87 Even if the expenses of Rep. Andrews’ family’s trip to Scotland actually were campaign-related, his leadership PAC made an excessive contribution to his campaign committee by paying for them. Gift Rule Violation Rule 25, clause 5(a)(1)(A)(i) of the House rules states that “a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not knowingly accept a gift except as provided in this clause.” Members may accept gifts on the basis of personal friendship, unless the member has reason to believe the gift was provided because of his or her position. 88 The rules further provide that a “gift to a family member of a Member . . . shall be considered a gift to the Member” if the member knows about the gift and has reason to believe it was given because of the member’s official position. 89 The House Ethics Manual makes clear that when a member receives a gift that cannot be accepted under the rules, the member must either return the gift to the donor or pay the market value of the gift. 90 Only when the gift cannot be returned because it is perishable may the member destroy it. 91 “When a Member . . . receives a nonperishable gift that cannot be accepted under the gift rule, he or she has no choice but the return the item to the donor promptly.” 92 Any gifts, including checks, given to Jacqueline Andrews at the graduation party because of Rep. Andrews’ position could not be accepted, and Rep. Andrews appears to have violated the gift rules by failing to return the gifts promptly and shredding the checks. Official Action for Personal Gain Members of the House are prohibited from “taking any official actions for the prospect of personal gain for themselves or anyone else.” 93 House members are directed to adhere to 5
2 U.S.C. §§ 441a(a)(1)(A), 441a(f). Federal Election Commission, Explanation and Justification for final rule regarding Leadership PACs, 68 Fed. Reg. 67013, 67017 (December 1, 2003). 87 Federal Election Commission, Contribution Limits 2011-12, available at http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/contriblimits.shtml. 88 Rule 25, cl. 5(a)(3)(D). 89 Rule 25, cl. 5(a)(2)(B)(i). 90 House Ethics Manual, p. 73. 91 Rule 25, cl. 5(a)(6). 92 House Ethics Manual, p. 75. 93 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, “Memorandum For All Members, Officers and Employees,” Prohibition Against Linking Official Actions to Partisan or Political Considerations, or Personal Gain, May 11, 1999.
C.F.R. § 2635.702(a), issued by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics for the Executive Branch, which provides: An employee shall not use or permit use of his Government position or title or any authority associated with his public office in a manner that is intended to coerce or induce another person . . . to provide any benefit, financial or otherwise, to himself or to friends, relatives, or persons with whom the employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity. By funneling federal funds to Rutgers University School of Law, where his wife serves as associate dean of enrollment and projects, Rep. Andrews may have used his position for his wife’s personal gain. Unfairly Discriminating By Dispensing Special Favors The Code of Ethics for Government Service provides that government officials should: Never discriminate unfairly by the dispensing of special favors or privileges to anyone, whether for remuneration or not; and never accept for himself or his family, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by reasonable persons as influencing the performance of his official duties. 94 By funneling federal funds to Rutgers University School of Law, where his wife serves as associate dean of enrollment and projects, Rep. Andrews may have dispensed special privileges to his wife’s employers in violation of the Code of Ethics for Government Service. Conduct Not Reflecting Creditably on the House House Rule 23 requires all members of the House to conduct themselves “at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.” 95 This ethics standard is considered to be “the most comprehensive provision” of the code. 96 When this section was first adopted, the Select Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the 90th Congress noted it was included within the Code to deal with “flagrant” violations of the law that reflect on “Congress as a whole,” and that might otherwise go unpunished. 97 This rule has been relied on by the committee in numerous prior cases in which the committee found unethical conduct including: the failure to report campaign contributions, 98 making false statements to the committee, 99 criminal
72 Stat., Part 2, B12, H. Con. Res. 175, 85th Cong. (adopted July 11, 1958); House Ethics Manual, p. 20. Rule 23, cl. 1. 96 House Ethics Manual, p. 12. 97 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, Report Under the Authority of H. Res. 418, H. Rep. No. 1176, 90th Cong., 2d Sess. 17 (1968). 98 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, In the Matter of Representative John J. McFall, H. Rep. No. 951742, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. 2-3 (1978) (Count 1); In the Matter of Representative Edward R. Roybal, H. Rep. No. 95-1743, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. 2-3 (1978).
convictions for bribery, 100 or accepting illegal gratuities, 101 and accepting gifts from persons with interest in legislation in violation of the gift rule. 102 By converting campaign funds to the personal use of himself and his family and by funneling federal funds to his wife’s employer, Rep. Andrews may have engaged in conduct that does not reflect creditably on the House.
99 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, In the Matter of Representative Charles H. Wilson (of California), H. Rep. No. 95-1741, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. 4-5 (1978); H. Rep. No. 95-1743 (Counts 3-4). 100 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, In the Matter of Representative Michael J. Myers, H. Rep. No. 96-1387, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. 2, 5 (1980); see 126 Cong. Rec. 28953-78 (Oct. 2, 1980) (debate and vote of expulsion); In the Matter of Representative John W. Jenrette, Jr., H. Rep. No. 96-1537, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. 4 (1980) (member resigned); In the Matter of Representative Raymond F. Lederer, H. Rep. No. 97-110, 97th Cong., 1st Sess. 4, 16-17 (1981) (member resigned after Committee recommended expulsion). In another case, the Committee issued a Statement of Alleged Violation concerning bribery and perjury, but took no further action when the member resigned (In the Matter of Representative Daniel J. Flood, H. Rep. No. 96-856, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. 416, 125-126 (1980)). 101 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, In the Matter of Representative Mario Biaggi, H. Rep. No. 100506, 100th Cong., 2d Sess. 7, 9 (1988) (member resigned while expulsion resolution was pending). 102 House Comm. on Standards of Official Conduct, In the Matter of Representative Charles H. Wilson (of California), H. Rep. No. 96-930, 96th Cong. 2d Sess. 4-5 (1980); see 126 Cong. Rec. 13801-20 (June 10, 1980) (debate and vote of censure).
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