Ethics probe of Rep. Waters derailed by infighting, sources say
19th December 2010
The case – one of the most prominent ethics investigations undertaken by the committee – came apart as committee and staff members argued over whether documents should be subpoenaed and when the trial should be scheduled and for how long. They all expected Waters to agree to a negotiated settlement, which she ultimately declined.
The breakdown of the Waters inquiry highlights the difficulties that the ethics committee faces in policing House colleagues. The panel sought to restore public confidence in its work during the current Congress, scrutinizing nearly two dozen members for possible transgressions and preparing for several trials. But its staff of 14 was quickly overwhelmed.
Guess they’re more crooked than they looked.
Perhaps the only issue on which all of those involved in the probe agree is that they had expected Waters to concede that she had made mistakes and to accept an admonishment. Her refusal to do so caught everyone by surprise and caused the staff to renew the search for evidence.