Issa Faces New Ethics Complaint
September 15, 2011
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California Republican Darrell Issa is facing a new ethics complaint from American Family Voices, an advocacy group that alleges that Issa has repeatedly used his public office for personal gain.
The complaint, filed with the House Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), accuses Issa of using his position as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to add to his multimillion-dollar fortune.
The complaint specifically alleges that Issa pressured the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to halt an investigation of Goldman Sachs shortly after he bought a huge stake in one of Goldman’s high-yield mutual funds.
It also claims Issa used his authority to improperly defend Merrill Lynch, a firm with “which he has a significant financial interest.”
“In fact and in appearance, Rep. Issa has repeatedly — and impermissibly — used his public position to promote his private financial interests,” Mike Lux, president of American Family Voices, wrote in a letter to former Reps. Porter Goss (R-FL) and David Skaggs (D-CO), co-chairmen of the OCE.
Issa is also under fire for using his position as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to pressure the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to withdraw its complaint against the Boeing Company for serious labor law violations.
