August, 09 2010, 02:58pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Garrett Russo 202.408.5565
CREW Statement on the Case Against Congresswoman Maxine Waters
WASHINGTON
In response to the House Ethics Committee's release of the charges
against Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Citizens for Responsibility
and Ethics in Washington (CREW) Executive Director Melanie Sloan
released the following statement:
"The facts released today make it increasingly clear that
Congresswoman Waters abused her office and she must be held accountable
for her actions. The Statement of Alleged Violation released by the
House Ethics Committee confirms the congresswoman intervened on behalf
of OneUnited Bank despite the fact that she knew her actions constituted
a conflict of interest.
In addition, the fact that Rep. Waters' grandson was the person
handling this matter on her behalf makes the matter worse. Congress has
anti-nepotism rules, which sadly don't rule out members from hiring
their grandchildren. Perhaps, however, someone not related to Rep.
Waters would have stood up to her and prevented her office from taking
action to protect her husband's investment."
Click here to read the House Ethics Committee's statement of alleged violation against Rep. Waters.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials -- regardless of party affiliation -- who sacrifice the common good to special interests. CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach.
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