From The Los Angeles Times:
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee appeared likely Friday to drop its case against Rep. Maxine Watersafter an independent legal advisor concluded that there is “not sufficient evidence…to prove violations by a clear and convincing standard.”
The panel received the recommendation during a rare open session, and was expected to end the case against Waters, who has been accused of improperly helping a bank linked to her husband. The committee’s decision could come before the end of the day.
Dismissal of the case, which has gone on for more than three years, would clear the way for the veteran lawmaker to become the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee in the next Congress.
But her chief of staff and grandson Mikael Moore faced a possible letter of reproval from the committee for doing work that could have aided OneUnited bank during the 2008 financial crisis. Waters’ husband, Sidney Williams, served on the OneUnited board from January 2004 to April 2008 and owned stock in the institution. Moore, in an appearance before the committee on Friday, denied wrongdoing.
Waters, who was in attendance, has also denied wrongdoing, saying her efforts were in keeping with her longtime work to promote opportunity for minority-owned businesses and lending in underserved communities such as her South Los Angeles district.
The ethics committee had hired prominent Washington lawyer Billy Martin to investigate the charges and recommend a course of action. Martin told the panel on Friday that “the evidence in the record does not support a knowing violation of ethics rules or any other standard of conduct with respect to Rep. Maxine Waters by a clear and convincing standard.”
His 150-page report could be made available later Friday.
Waters came under scrutiny for calling then-Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson to set up a September 2008 meeting during the financial crisis between his staff and representatives of minority-owned banks.
Ethics panel urged to drop case against Rep. Maxine Waters: From The Los Angeles Times: WASHINGTON — The H… http://t.co/EgR44F3R #tcot
Those who know of Maxine, know this is a thin strategy move. Despite being warned, she was caught aiding family and friends. She is the model that Obama is following, but he’s an amateur compared to the LA doler. It’s time for her to go.
Ethics panel urged to drop case against Rep. Maxine Waters http://t.co/X8zE9gDs
WHY? Ethics panel urged to drop case against Rep. Maxine Waters http://t.co/miGUTgZ0
This is the type of politician that gerrymandering creates, and she will keep getting elected because she represents “her people”. Go figure.
The entire political arena is becoming more and more like a sewer.
Socialist Party of America Releases The Names of 70 Democrat Members Of Congress Who Are Members Of Their Caucus
Q: How many of the DSA members sit on the Judiciary Committee?
A: Eleven: John Conyers [Chairman of the Judiciary Committee], Tammy Baldwin, Jerrold Nadler, Luis Gutierrez,
Melvin Watt, Maxine Waters, Hank Johnson, Steve Cohen, Barbara Lee, Robert Wexler, Linda Sanchez.
Co-Chairs
Hon. Lynn Woolsey (CA-06)
Vice Chairs
Hon. Diane Watson (CA-33)
11 CA. House Members
Hon. Xavier Becerra (CA-31)
Hon. Sam Farr (CA-17)
Hon. Bob Filner (CA-51)
Hon. Michael Honda (CA-15)
Hon. Barbara Lee (CA-09)
Hon. George Miller (CA-07)
Hon. Laura Richardson (CA-37)
Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34)
Hon. Linda Sánchez (CA-47)
Hon. Pete Stark (CA-13)
Hon. Henry Waxman (CA-30)
Hon. Maxine Waters (CA-35)