House Ethics Committee extends probe of Arizona GOP lawmaker

The House Ethics Committee said Wednesday it will continue its probe into allegations that Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) and his former chief of staff Oliver Schwab misused official funds and received improper campaign contributions.

The panel said it is reviewing a referral received last year from the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), which found “substantial reason” to believe Schweikert misused funds and accepted unlawful contributions from someone who worked in his office.

{mosads}That report says expenses may have been made by or on behalf of Schwab that were “not for permissible official expenses.” The funds would have come from Schweikert’s Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA).

“If Rep. Schweikert authorized impermissible MRA expenditures, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law,” the report said.

The House Ethics Committee noted in its statement Wednesday that continuation of an investigation does not indicate a violation has occurred.

The panel was required to release a report on the probe since it has not been concluded a year after its referral from the OCE.

The House Ethics Committee announced it was expanding its probe in December after receiving additional information from the OCE.

Schweikert has denied any wrongdoing, asserting the errors were “clerical mistakes” and that he will provide any information needed for the panel to reach its resolution.