OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Jim Renacci
OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Jim Renacci Exhibits 1 of 3
OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Jim Renacci Exhibits 2 of 3
OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Jim Renacci Exhibits 3 of 3
On August 9, 2018, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. Jim. Renacci.
Nature of the Review
Representative Jim Renacci's campaign social media accounts may have posted videos and photos that were photographed or filmed from official House buildings, rooms, and offices. Rep. Renacci also may have permitted official staff to perform campaign work in official buildings and during official staff time, and may have permitted impermissible coordination with Rep. Renacci's campaign. If Rep. Renacci misused official resources for campaign or political purposes, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.
Rep. Renacci may have used his campaign social media accounts to promote official events and appearances. If Rep. Renacci used campaign funds to defray official expenses, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.
OCE Recommendation
The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegations concerning political use of photos and videos photographed or filmed from official buildings, performance of campaign work in official buildings, and during official staff time, and impermissible coordination becuase there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Renacci misused official resources for campaign or political purposes.
The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegations concerning use of campaign social media accounts to promote official events because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Renacci used campaign funds to defray official expenses.
Committee Action
The Committee on Ethics made no public statement regarding this matter.
Public Disclosure
Pursuant to section 1(f)(1)(B) of H. Res. 895, on April 12, 2019, the Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics voted unanimously to release the OCE's report and findings concerning former Rep. Renacci, as the Board determined that release was mandated by the Resolution and House rules.