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OCE Referral Regarding Rep. David Schweikert

September 5, 2019
Investigations

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. David Schweikert

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On September 5, 2018, the Office of Congressional Ethics transmitted a referral to the Committee on Ethics of the United States House of Representatives regarding Rep. David Schweikert.

Nature of the Review

Rep. Schweikert may have used official resources, including staff time, to benefit his campaigns and pressured congressional staff to perform political activity. If Rep. Schweikert used official resources for campaign purposes or pressured congressional staff to perform political activity, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Rep. Schweikert may have authorized compensation to an employee who did not perform duties commensurate with the compensation the employee received. If Rep. Schweikert authorized compensation to an employee who did not perform duties commensurate with the compensation the employee received, then Rep. Schweikert may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Rep. Schweikert may have improperly tied official activities to past or potential campaign or political support. If Rep. Schweikert improperly linked official activities to campaign or political support, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Rep. Schweikert or his campaign committee may have received loans or gifts from a congressional employee. If Rep. Schweikert solicited or accepted a loan, gift, or other contribution from a congressional employee, then Rep. Schweikert may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Rep. Schweikert may have omitted required information from his annual House financial disclosure statements and Federal Election Commission ("FEC") candidate committee reports. If Rep. Schweikert failed to disclose required information in his annual House financial disclosure statements or FEC candidate committee filings, 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 because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Schweikert used official resources for campaign purposes or pressured congressional staff to perform political activity.

The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegation because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Schweikert authorized compensation to an employee who did not perform duties commensurate with the compensation the employee received.

The Board recommended that the Committee dismiss the above allegation because there is not substantial reason to believe that Rep. Schweikert improperly linked official activities to campaign or political support.

The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegation because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Schweikert solicited or accepted a loan, gift, or other contribution from a congressional employee.

The Board recommended that the Committee further review the above allegation because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Schweikert failed to disclose required information in his annual House financial disclosure statements or FEC candidate committee filings.

Committee Action

On June 28, 2018, the Committee established an Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) to conduct an inquiry regarding matters concerning Representative Schweikert based upon a review of OCE's referral on April 16, 2018.

On December 20, 2018, the Committee voted unanimously to expand the jurisdiction of the ISC's inquiry regarding Representative Schweikert to include additional allegations based upon a review of OCE's additional review.

On September 5, 2019, the Committee released a statement indicating the matter referred is currently within the jurisdiction of an Investigative Subcommittee (ISC). Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(8)(B)(iii) and Committee Rule 17A(f)(2), if an ISC does not conclude its review within one year after receiving a referral from the OCE, the Committee shall make public OCE's report no later than one year after the referral. Accordingly, the Committee is making public OCE's Report in the matter referred to the Committee on September 5, 2018.

On July 30, 2020, the Committee released a report stating that the ISC unanimously concluded there was substantial reason to believe that Representative Schweikert violated House Rules, the Code of Ethics for Government Service, federal laws and other applicable standards in connection with campaign finance violations and reporting errors by his authorized campaign committees; misused his Members' Representational Allowance for unofficial purposes; pressured official staff to perform campaign work; and lacked candor and due diligence during the investigation. The Committee unanimously accepted the ISC's recommendations that the Committee submit a public report to the House, and that the adoption of that report will serve as a reprimand of Representative Schweikert for his misconduct and impose a fine in the amount of $50,000.