By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press
A congressional ethics panel says it is looking into the activities of U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews of New Jersey, who has reported using campaign money to pay for at least 18 trips to California, where his teenage daughter has a fledgling career as a singer and actress.
The House Ethics Committee released a statement Tuesday saying it would issue a decision on a matter regarding Andrews by Aug. 31.
It was the first time the committee has acknowledged a probe of Andrews, a Democrat from Haddon Heights. The probe was first reported by the Courier-Post.
Andrews said in a statement that the committee will clear him of accusations that he called “politically motivated” and “totally and categorically false.” He also said that the accusations involve campaign funds and not taxpayer money and that the campaign money was “properly spent and fully disclosed.”
“I am humbled and honored to serve in the Congress. In the course of my service, I have always followed every rule and standard,” he said.
Andrews said the investigation was sparked by a call for a probe last November by local Republican officials in New Jersey.
The ethics committee didn’t detail what they are looking into or why. But
