House Ethics Committee extends probe into Renacci

The House Ethics Committee announced Monday it’s extending its investigation into Rep. Jim Renacci, even as the Ohio Republican’s days in Congress are numbered following a failed Senate bid.

The move comes after the Ohio Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics in April alleging Renacci misused his congressional office and official resources for political purposes.

{mosads}The complaint accused Renacci of using his congressional website and official Twitter account to promote his gubernatorial race. Renacci ultimately opted to run for Senate in lieu of governor, losing earlier this month to Sen. Sherrod Brown (D).

The American Democracy Legal Fund also filed a complaint earlier this year alleging the congressman misused official resources to boost his Senate bid. Renacci came under fire in September after allegedly using a strip club owner’s private plane to travel to various campaign stops around Ohio. 

The House Ethics panel did not specify which allegations they were focusing on.

While the panel plans to extend its probe, it will only have until Jan. 3 before it loses jurisdiction over the matter when Renacci leaves Congress.