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Office of Congressional Ethics

What Members Of Congress Improperly Bought With Their Per Diem Cash

Ryan J. Reilly | January 4, 2011, 8:00AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)

Rep. Joe "You Lie" Wilson (R-SC) used the cash the government gave him for his personal lodging, meals and incidentals during an official overseas trips to buy a statue of the statesman who founded Turkey, marble goblets from Afghanistan and flags from various countries with which to decorate his congressional office. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) picked up flowers, candy and wine for ambassadors or other hosts; had custom-made baseball hats for staff and members attending one overseas trip; and gave a $100 bill to an Iraqi refugee at an event in Saudi Arabia.

Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL) purchased gifts like "leather goods, t-shirts, dolls, and post cards" for his family and used his per diem to cover the expenses of his wife, who accompanied him on at least one trip. Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) picked up gifts and souvenirs for his family with his per diem and also suggested members pick up the cost of one ''shockingly'' expensive meal for their staffers. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) "occasionally used the per diem to cover the meals and entertainment of leaders or residents of the country that he visited" as well as gifts for his secretary and chief of staff. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX) picked up the tab of some meals for his staff.

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Topics: Alcee Hastings, Eliot Engel, G.K. Butterfield, Joe Wilson, Office of Congressional Ethics, Robert Aderholt, Solomon Ortiz

Ethics

Ethics Committee Ends 'Per Diem' Investigation Into Six Members

Ryan J. Reilly | January 3, 2011, 9:15AM

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)

The House ethics committee has ended an investigation into six members of Congress over allegations that they kept the remainder of per diem payments they receive when traveling overseas.

Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) are now no longer under investigation in the case.

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Topics: Alcee Hastings, Eliot Engel, Ethics, G.K. Butterfield, Jo Bonner, Joe Wilson, Robert Aderholt, Solomon Ortiz, Zoe Lofgren

Charlie Rangel

NY Democrat Eliot Engel: Rangel Can't 'Excuse Away' Ethics Decision (VIDEO)

Ryan J. Reilly | November 16, 2010, 2:50PM

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) told reporters on Tuesday that the decision by the ethics committee that Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) was guilty on 11 ethics counts was "sad" for a man he called a longtime friend.

"This is what happens sometimes in life," Engel said. "I'm sorry to see this happen."