A government watchdog group has filed an ethics complaint calling for a federal investigation into Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright claiming that he violated conflict of interest rules by sponsoring bills that would benefit a law firm in which he has a multimillion-dollar financial interest.
The complaint, filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics, alleges that Cartwright's actions represent "a clear conflict of interest" that "Undermines public confidence." It asks the office to conduct an immediate investigation.
According to the Office of Congressional Ethics, a conflict of interest "Denotes a situation in which an official's conduct of his office conflicts with his private economic affairs." Ethics rules prohibit congress members from using their positions for personal benefit.
"In this case, Representative Cartwright has a clear conflict of interest. This is not a case where Cartwright simply voted on legislation, but is a case where he used his official position to sponsor legislation," wrote FACT's executive director Kendra Arnold in the complaint to Office of Congressional Ethics chief counsel Omar Ashmawy.
"Not only does Cartwright have a financial interest that would be directly affected by his sponsored legislation, but it is a unique and specific interest in a law firm specializing in the type of litigation that would be impacted," wrote Arnold.
"Cartwright's financial interest alone is sufficient to prohibit his official action, but his interest combined with his wife's employment, similar significant financial interest in the law firm specializing in this subject area, and involvement with an organization lobbying for the legislation undermines public confidence."
The complaint asked the committee "To immediately investigate Representative Cartwright and impose any required penalties."
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/house-democrat-smacked-with-ethics-complaint-over-conflict-of-interest
The complaint, filed with the Office of Congressional Ethics, alleges that Cartwright's actions represent "a clear conflict of interest" that "Undermines public confidence." It asks the office to conduct an immediate investigation.
According to the Office of Congressional Ethics, a conflict of interest "Denotes a situation in which an official's conduct of his office conflicts with his private economic affairs." Ethics rules prohibit congress members from using their positions for personal benefit.
"In this case, Representative Cartwright has a clear conflict of interest. This is not a case where Cartwright simply voted on legislation, but is a case where he used his official position to sponsor legislation," wrote FACT's executive director Kendra Arnold in the complaint to Office of Congressional Ethics chief counsel Omar Ashmawy.
"Not only does Cartwright have a financial interest that would be directly affected by his sponsored legislation, but it is a unique and specific interest in a law firm specializing in the type of litigation that would be impacted," wrote Arnold.
"Cartwright's financial interest alone is sufficient to prohibit his official action, but his interest combined with his wife's employment, similar significant financial interest in the law firm specializing in this subject area, and involvement with an organization lobbying for the legislation undermines public confidence."
The complaint asked the committee "To immediately investigate Representative Cartwright and impose any required penalties."
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/house-democrat-smacked-with-ethics-complaint-over-conflict-of-interest
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