CREW files ethics complaint against John Ensign

On April 1st, CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics) filed complaints with the Senate Ethics Committee and the House Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) urging investigations into whether members of Congress who currently live or have previously lived at the C Street House on Capitol Hill have violated congressional gift rules by paying below market value rent.

CREW’s complaints name Sens. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Jim DeMint (R-SC) and John Ensign (R-NV); and Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Heath Shuler (D-NC), Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Zach Wamp (R-TN) as current and former C Street House residents.  Press accounts have claimed these congressmen pay only $950 per month in rent – well below the neighborhood’s normal range, which runs from $1,700 to $4,000 per month for accommodations that include housekeeping services.

By accepting the reduced rent rate at the house, which is run by a corporate arm of the shadowy Fellowship Foundation, these members of Congress are violating congressional rules prohibiting members from accepting gifts.

CREW states:

While many Americans are losing their homes during this time of economic turmoil, it appears these members of Congress are receiving an extraordinary deal on their luxurious accommodations.  The ethics committees must investigate this blatant violation of congressional rules.

Related posts:

1. CREW keeps track of ethics violations and investigations for you
2. CREW names Nevada Senator John Ensign as one of “The 15 Most Corrupt Members” of Congress
3. Ensign’s “Dear John” letter to Cynthia Hampton
4. Parody of John Edwards, Mark Sanford and John Ensign on SNL
5. Maddow on the John Ensign Affair