WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- House ethics investigators have rejected criticisms that partisanship will inhibit their examination of ethic charges against Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Ethics Committee Chairman Joel Hefley, R-Colo., and ranking member Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., released a joint statement Thursday insisting that their committee would treat an ethics complaint filed by outgoing Texas Democratic Rep. Chris Bell against the powerful Texas Republican impartially.
"Both of us are confident in the ability of each of our fellow members, without exception, to execute their responsibilities faithfully and fairly, regardless of any political affiliations or personal relationship," they said.
Critics have charged that Republicans on the committee would be unwilling to be impartial, citing over $81,000 in donations that DeLay's political action committee has given their campaigns over the last decade.
It had been speculated that charges were likely to be dismissed, but the indictment this week of three political operatives with close ties to DeLay for raising illegal corporate contributions by a grand jury in Texas has fueled speculation that the panel will be forced to move forward.
DeLay has denied any wrongdoing and any connection to the charges made against his political associates.
