By Rebecca Henely
U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D–Jackson Heights) is one of three congressman recommended by an independent ethics committee on Aug. 31 for a probe into his fund-raising, a spokeswoman from his office confirmed. The New York Post reported the investigation concerns money raised prior to the passage of a bill to reform Wall Street.
The Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent organization within Congress that wrote the recommendation, began a preliminary review in May of Crowley’s and seven other congressmen’s fund-raising activities, but recommended Crowley for further review by the House’s Ethics Committee. Reps. John Campbell (R–Calif.) and Tom Price (R–Ga.) were also recommended for a probe and made statements regarding the recommendation and denying wrongdoing to media outlets, including The Hill. The other five congressmen were not recommended for further review, according to the Hill.
Crowley’s office denied any financial chicanery.
“Congressman Crowley has always complied with the letter and spirit of all rules regarding fund-raising and standards of conduct,” said a spokesperson from Crowley’s office.
The review allegedly centers on funds raised from Wall Street executives prior to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was aimed at streamlining the financial regulation system, created the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and developed a process to prevent large bailouts of corporations, the Post reported.
Crowley voted for the House version of the bill, although Campbell and Price did not. All congressmen up for investigation were either part of the House Financial Services Committee or the House Ways and Means Committee. Crowley is a member of the Ways and Means Committee, while Campbell and Price are members of the Financial Services Committee.
The New York Post reported Crowley raised $23,500 before voting on the bill, and Price raised $23,000 at a “financial services lunch” before the vote.
Price also said in a statement he had not done anything wrong and spoke against the recommended investigation.
“How the OCE arrived at their recommendation is truly a mystery,” Price said. “There being no evidence of any wrongdoing or any inconsistency in my policy position, one can only guess as to the motive behind their decision or even why they chose to initiate a review in the first place.”
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
