House Ethics Committee reportedly clears Rep. Raul Grijalva of wrongdoing
WASHINGTON _ The House Ethics Committee has reportedly cleared Rep. Raul Grijalva of wrongdoing related to a $48,000 settlement paid to a female staffer in 2015.
The Arizona Democrat settled with the former staffer in 2015 after she accused him of creating a hostile work environment and being intoxicated and left Grijalva's office after working there just three months.
The House Ethics letter, dated Dec. 14 and first reported by The Hill, says that the committee was dismissing the complaint against Grijalva related to the payment.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke brought up the drinking issue in a tweet after Grijalva criticized Zinke's stewardship of the department, saying, "It's hard for him to think straight from the bottom of the bottle."
Zinke announced Saturday he is resigning from his post as investigations into his travel, political activity and potential conflicts of interest have dogged him.
Grijalva is expected to take over as chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which oversees the Interior Department. Grijalva's office said over the weekend that it intends to ask for Zinke to testify in hearings after the new Congress convenes.
_CQ-Roll Call
