House panel accuses Arizona Rep. Schweikert in ethics complaint

Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The House ethics committee has revealed new accusations against Arizona Rep. David Schweikert, over what the panel says were illegal uses of office money and unlawful campaign contributions.

The report was made public Thursday by the Office of Congressional Ethics board.

Schweikert is accused of using office resources to perform political activity, paying an employee for work they did not do, tying official activities to his campaign or political support and omitting required information from his House financial disclosure statements and a Federal Election Commission report.

"The board recommends that the committee further review the [case] because there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Schweikert used official resources for campaign purposes or pressured congressional staff to perform political activity," the report said.

The ethics board said, though, it did not think there was substantial evidence that linked official activities to campaign or political support.

The board added there was reason to suspect Schweikert "solicited or accepted a loan, gift, or other contribution from a congressional employee" and failed to disclose it.

Schweikert's office said the report merely repeats old accusations.

"Given that today's report from OCE is merely a restatement of what has been reported previously, our position has not changed," Schweikert press officer Chris Baker said in a statement.

"We have welcomed the review being conducted by the House Committee and remain confident that the outcome of that review will be favorable to Congressman Schweikert."

The Democratic Party, which hopes to take control of Schweikert's seat in 2020, said it's concerned about the new accusations.

"With each new development in these ongoing ethics investigations, we learn more about just how deep the roots of Congressman Schweikert's corruption go," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee press secretary Brooke Goren said.

"As Schweikert's scandal drags on, hardworking Arizonans are losing confidence in this Congressman's ability to get results for them on key issues like lowering the cost of health care and strengthening our economy."