WASHINGTON _ The House Committee on Ethics has concluded unanimously that U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., failed to prohibit lobbying contracts between his staff and his wife.
"The committee found that Representative Whitfield failed to take the proper care to avoid violations of the applicable rules," according to a report released Thursday.
But Whitfield did not break the rule that prohibits House members from using their influence improperly, the committee concluded.
"Representative Whitfield did not intend to violate the House rules or other standards of conduct, or to benefit himself or his spouse by doing so," the report said.
The report said that Whitfield violated the House rule that requires members to "prohibit all staff employed by that member ... from making any lobbying contact ... with that individual's spouse, if that spouse is a lobbyist."
The Office of Congressional Ethics first investigated allegations that Whitfield allowed his wife, Constance Harriman, to contact his staff about federal legislation that her lobbying firm was interested in, from January 2011 and at least through 2015. It issued a referral to the Ethics Committee.
"I accept the committee's reproval for my unintentional failure to re-shape relations between my wife and my staff in late 2011," Whitfield said in a statement. "I have done my best to lead my life _ both as a citizen and as a member of Congress _ with absolute integrity and honesty. Despite adhering to those principles. I made a mistake."
This report is the lowest possible reprimand for a House member.
