OCE Referral Regarding Rep. John Rutherford
OCE Referral Regarding Rep. John Rutherford Exhibits
On February 28, 2022, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. John Rutherford.
Nature of the Review
Rep. Rutherford may have failed to file timely Periodic Transaction Reports (“PTRs”) for various reportable transactions.
If Rep. Rutherford failed to file PTRs for reportable transactions, 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 allegation concerning Rep. Rutherford because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Rutherford failed to file timely PTRs for various reportable transactions.
Committee Action
On May 31, 2022, the Committee on Ethics released a statement indicating it would continue to gather information necessary to complete its review. The Committee published the OCE report and findings and announced the allegations would be further reviewed pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a).
On August 24, 2022, the Committee on Ethics released a statement announcing the Committee unanimously voted to dismiss the referral regarding Rep. John Rutherford. The Committee concluded that there was no clear evidence that the errors and omissions in Rep. Rutherford's PTRs were knowing or willful and that he was generally unclear on the requirements relating to PTR filings. Additionally, the Committee stated that Rep. Rutherford made remedial efforts and assured he would adhere to appliciable financial disclosure requirements.