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OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele

November 28, 2022
Investigations

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele Exhibits

On August 30, 2022, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. Kaiali'i Kahele.

Nature of the Review

Rep. Kahele's campaign social media accounts may have posted videos and photos that were photographed or filmed from official House buildings, rooms, and offices, used official graphics and social media posts, shared official communications, or promoted official events. If Rep. Kahele misused official resources for campaign or political purposes or used campaign funds to defray official expenses, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Rep. Kahele may have taken official action on issues related to his employer that may affect his financial interests or dispensed special favors or privileges to this same entity. If Rep. Kahele took official action that was motivated by, or that reasonable persons might view as motivated by his financial interest, or if Rep. Kahele dispensed special favors or privileges, then he may have violated House rules and standards of conduct.

OCE Recommendation

The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegation concerning Rep. Kahele because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Kahele's campaign social media accounts may have posted videos and photos that were photographed or filmed from official House buildings, rooms, and offices, used official graphics and social media posts, shared official communications, or promoted official events.

The Board recommended that the Committee dismiss the above allegation concerning Rep. Kahele because there is not substantial reason to believe that Rep. Kahele may have taken official action on issues related to his employer that may affect his financial interests or dispensed special favors or privileges to this same entity.

Committee Action

On October 14, 2022, the Committee on Ethics released a statement indicating it would extend the matter regarding Rep. Kahele pursuant to Committee Rule 17(a).

On November 28, 2022, the Committee on Ethics released a statement announcing it would continue to gather the 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).