OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Jared Polis
On October 30, 2015, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. Jared Polis.
Nature of Review
Representative Jared Polis appeared in a video produced and distributed by the video game company Riot Games, in which he is seen playing the company’s League of Legends video game. If Representative Polis’ appearance in the company’s video could be perceived as an official endorsement of the company’s product or if Representative Polis used official resources in a manner that promoted Riot Games’ business, then he may have violated federal law and House rules.
Representative Polis participated in a makeover and photo shoot with Ninox Design, LLC (“Ninox”), a menswear company based in his congressional district. Photographs from the makeover were subsequently used by the menswear company to advertise and promote its products. If Representative Polis’ participation in the makeover could be perceived as an official endorsement of the company’s products or if Representative Polis used official resources in a manner that promoted Ninox’s business, then he may have violated federal law and House rules.
OCE Recommendations
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegation that Representative Polis engaged in activity that could be perceived as an endorsement of a Riot Games’ product and used official resources in a manner that promoted Riot Games’ business, as there is substantial reason to believe that Representative Polis engaged in such activity or used official resources in such a manner, in violation of federal law and House rules.
The Board recommended that the Committee on Ethics further review the allegation that Representative Polis engaged in activity that could be perceived as an endorsement of Ninox’s products and used official resources in a manner that promoted Ninox’s business, as there is substantial reason to believe that Representative Polis engaged in such activity or used official resources in such a manner, in violation of federal law and House rules.
Committee Conclusion
On December 14, 2015, the Committee on Ethics released a report dismissing the matter, determined not to take further action, and considered the matter closed.