No Decision Yet on Wright Ethics Probe

The House Ethics Committee began deliberations Thursday on whether to investigate allegations that Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) violated the chamber’s ethics rules.

Rep. Julian C. Dixon (D-Los Angeles) said after a 2 1/2-hour closed session that the panel did not reach a decision and would continue its discussions next week.

“The members of the committee had a thorough discussion . . . of the issue and we have come to no resolve,” he said. The 12-member committee, which is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, will resume its work next Thursday, he said.

Wright was accused of unethical behavior in a complaint filed by Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

The complaint cited newspaper reports that Wright received unusually high royalties for his book, which was published by a Texas associate who did nearly $300,000 in business with the Speaker’s campaign. It pointed also to actions by Wright on behalf of Texas oilmen with whom he had a financial relationship.

Wright on Thursday reasserted his desire to appear before the panel to clear his name.

“I’ve said all along I have no fear or apprehension about them looking into these charges,” Wright said. Clearing them up quickly is important, he said, because “it reflects the mood and the reputation of the House as an institution” as well as his own standing.