CREW Files Ethics Complaint Against Sam Johnson

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has filed a complaint against U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson (R-Dallas) (TX-CD-03) with the House Ethics Committee alleging that the 7-term incumbent misused executive branch resources, namely the Internal Revenue Service, for partisan political purposes.

The complaint comes after it was revealed that Johnson was the source of the initial request for the IRS to investigte Texans for Public Justice.

Although outside groups cannot actually file ethics complaints against sitting congressmen, CREW reports in a press release (view here or here) it filed its complaint because:

“under the long-standing ethics “truce” in the House, Members have been directed by their leaders not to file ethics complaints against other Members.”

CREW’s complaint alleges that Rep. Johnson’s actions violated 31 U.S.C. Section 1301(a), which provides that official funds are to be used only for purposes for which they are appropriated; the Code of Ethics in Government Service, which requires all government employees to uphold the laws of the United States and which prohibits government employees from providing special favors to anyone; and House Rule 23, which requires Members to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects creditably on the House.

“Rep. Johnson abused the public trust by using the power of his office to harass an organization which had taken a position with which he disagreed. Such actions are specifically prohibited by federal law and ethics rules and the House ethics committee should immediately commence an investigation into Rep. Johnson’s disgraceful conduct.” Melanie Sloan, CREW’s executive director, stated.

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