Sent Oct 25, 2004
Dear Patrick:
Thank you for contacting me regarding allegations of ethics violations filed by outgoing Representative Christopher Bell (D- TX) against House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). As you may know, on October 6, 2004, the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct concluded its investigation into the allegations brought forward by Rep. Bell. I have included the rulings segment of the Committee's joint statement concerning this matter below:
"Today the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, by unanimous votes, adopted each of tlie recommendations made by Chairman Joel Hefley and Ranking Minority Member Alan B. Mollohan for disposition of the three counts of the complaint that was filed against Representative Tom DeLay on June 15, 2004. Those recommendations are detailed in a 44-page memorandum from the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member to the other Committee members. The memorandum was accompanied by approximately 100 pages of attachments consisting of documents that they obtained in their fact-gathering activities under Committee Rule 16(c)."
The memorandum with attachments and the letter of admonition are available on the Committee Web site, http://www.house.gov/ethics. In addition, Majority Leader Delay issued a response to the Committee's ruling. Its text is included below:
"The Ethics Committee has done the right thing in dismissing Mr. Bell's embellished allegations with bipartisan unanimity. While the allegations were dismissed, I accept the Committee's guidance. Mr. Bell displayed contempt for Congress by manipulating the ethics process in pursuit of his personal vendetta, and today's dismissal says more about Mr. Bell's conduct than it does about anything else. "
"The Committee was forced to complete its work in a highly divisive atmosphere fostered by politically motivated individuals and entities who have attempted to tamper with and influence the congressional ethics process for partisan gain. For years, Democrats have hurled relentless personal attacks at me, hoping to tie my hands and smear my name. All have fallen short, not because of insufficient venom, but because of insufficient merit. Mr. Bell's allegations, coordinated with one of these groups, intentionally misstated law and facts and violated the spirit and letter of House Ethics Rules. Although I believe this filing should have been thrown out immediately, I have spent the last four months cooperating with the Committee fact-finding. To expedite this matter, I even offered to waive my rights to bring this matter to closure. I'm glad this matter has been brought to its conclusion. I would invite my political opponents to engage the battle of ideas instead of misusing the congressional ethics process or abusing the legal system in a misguided attempt to settle scores. I'll continue to work hard to advance the cause of Republican governance, which I believe is critical to America's security, prosperity, and families."
Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
Sincerely,
Wally Herger
Member of Congress
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