Repeated Violations Of House Ethics Rules

A veteran Michigan congressman recently honored with the Soul and Spirit Humanitarian award during Black History Month has been accused by top aides of repeatedly violating House ethics rules.

John Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, forced his aides to work on several local and state campaigns–including his wife Monica’s failed bid for a state senate seat–and forced them to baby-sit, chauffer and tutor his son.

The information was detailed in complaints that Conyers’ former deputy chief of staff, Deanna Maher, and former legal counsel, Sydney Rooks, provided to the House ethics committee, the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office.

Evidence includes letters, memorandums, electronic mail, handwritten notes and expense reports. The political blog California Conservative wonders if this story will be covered by the big media since it does not meet the Republican “culture of corruption” theme.

In his 42 years in the House of Representatives, Conyers has earned a reputation as warrior for equality who strives to bring equal rights to his predominantly black constituents.