Ethics Committee confirms review of Tennessee lawmaker

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee confirmed Tuesday that it is investigating Republican Rep. John Duncan Jr., of Tennessee over unspecified allegations, after media reports last year that he had paid his son for campaign work.

Duncan Jr., who is serving his 16th term in the House and had previously announced he won't seek re-election, dismissed the complaint against him as "obviously very political" and done to deter him from running again.

The committee's announcement on Tuesday that it has decided to extend its review of Duncan is the first public acknowledgement of any investigation. The review was prompted by a referral in January from the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics.

Duncan came under fire in early July after a Knoxville website reported that he paid his son $300,000 for campaign work in the years after the younger man pleaded guilty to misconduct in office. The congressman told the Knoxville News Sentinel that he paid John Duncan III to head his political operations and perform work ranging from putting up yard signs to fundraising.


Source : Yahoo News