REP. JACKSON, JR. (D-IL) FACES HOUSE ETHICS INVESTIGATION & CONTINUED FEDERAL CRIMINAL PROBE INTO THE SELLING OF U.S. SENATE SEAT IN ILLINOIS
Source: Chicago Tribune/AP
CHICAGO - An independent panel that reviews possible ethical lapses by members of the House of Representatives has launched a preliminary review of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s efforts to be appointed to the U.S. Senate by ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to a published report.
The Office of Congressional Ethics voted in late March for the review, the Chicago Sun-Times reported in a story posted Tuesday on its Web site, citing documents released to parties involved in the inquiry.
The committee has asked for documents, e-mails and other correspondence from Blagojevich's gubernatorial and campaign staff regarding Jackson, Jackson's brother Jonathan and his campaign staff, the Sun-Times reported, citing lawyers close to the probe. It requested information from June through December 2008.
The panel reportedly began its work last Thursday, the same day a federal grand jury indicted Blagojevich on corruption charges that, among other things, he schemed to sell the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Blagojevich denies wrongdoing.
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