Incoming Chair of Judiciary Committee admits to breaking ethics rules

Michelle Malkin has a great catch at her blog on a statement at the House Ethics Committee. The statement details how congressional staffers of Rep. John Conyers, the incoming chair of the Judiciary Committee, "performed campaign activity on official time and in some instances using official resources, and that some staff members may have been compelled to do campaign work or personal work for Representative Conyers."

But because he cooperated with the investigation, the Ethics Committee is going to let him off with a slap on the wrist, provided he complies with the following conditions:

1. Prohibiting his personal congressional staff (other than his Chief of Staff) from performing any campaign-related work, including work done on a voluntary basis, during the 110th Congress, unless the staff member takes a paid position on his campaign while on leave without pay status and obtains prior written approval from the Committee.

2. Informing staff members in writing of the prohibition set forth above against the voluntary performance of campaign work.

3. Distributing a memorandum to each member of his personal congressional staff which clearly sets forth all House rules concerning (1) the performance of campaign and other non-official work by congressional staff members and (2) the prohibition against the performance of any campaign-related work being conducted in either his congressional or district offices. Additionally, this memorandum will explicitly state that the performance of campaign or other non-official work by staff members may not be required as a condition of their employment.

4. Directing that meetings of his personal congressional staff be held annually in which the House rules concerning staff participation in campaign activities are discussed and explained. In addition, a description of these rules will be made a part of the orientation for all new staff employees.

5. Continuing to maintain the detailed time-keeping system initiated by Rep. Conyers during the course of the Committee’s inquiry.

6. Requiring that all members of his congressional staff attend a briefing conducted by Committee counsel on the application of, and compliance with, applicable House rules concerning the performance of campaign and other non-official work by congressional staff members.

Wonder how many Mainstream Media outlets will bury this story (or even run it at all)? A quick check of 4 of the major newspapers' websites (NY Times, LA Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Washington Times) yielded only one hit for "John Conyers Ethics Committee". The Tribune ran the AP story, but nothing original.