WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Sen. Max Baucus should be investigated for ethics violations for nominating his girlfriend to be a U.S. attorney, the Republican National Committee said.
Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, acknowledged Friday that he had recommended Melodee Hanes early this year for U.S. attorney for Montana, Roll Call reported. When their relationship began, Hanes was Baucus's state director.
The RNC released a statement saying Baucus's conduct "raises a whole host of ethical problems."
"This issue demands the attention of the Senate Ethics Committee," the statement said. "They should hold a hearing to identify who was involved in this process, what they knew and when they knew it and why Senator Baucus put his personal needs above those of the people of Montana."
Baucus and Hanes are now living together in Washington, where she works for the Justice Department. She withdrew from consideration for the U.S. attorney post, and President Obama named another candidate on a list of three submitted by Baucus.
