Formal Ethics Complaint Filed Against Gingrich by Democrat

Rep. Bill Alexander (D-Ark.) filed a formal complaint with the House Ethics Committee Tuesday accusing Minority Whip Newt Gingrich of violating House rules with an unusual 1984 book promotion deal.

Alexander listed 10 alleged violations of House rules in the complaint, filed as the Ethics Committee, in a closed session, discussed the results of a lengthy investigation of House Speaker Jim Wright that was initiated by Gingrich.

“Mr. Gingrich is a congressional Jimmy Swaggart, who condemns sin while committing hypocrisy,” Alexander said.

Book Deal Cited

The complaint, which under House rules will force the Ethics Committee to vote on whether to investigate the Georgia Republican, centers on a limited partnership created to promote “Window of Opportunity,” a book written by Gingrich, his wife, Marianne Gingrich, and David Drake.

The partnership involved 21 investors who put up $5,000 each to promote the book, in exchange for a promise of half of the profits that normally would have accrued to the publisher. The publisher ended up losing money on the book, and the investors got a tax write-off.

Gingrich, who has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the book deal, said Tuesday that the partnership was controlled by his wife and that he was not aware of the details of the arrangement.

But he said he is preparing answers to 40 written questions about the book deal that have been submitted to his office by members of Congress and reporters since the existence of the partnership was disclosed last month.

Mrs. Gingrich has acknowledged receiving less than $10,000 from the partnership for her work in setting up the deal and coordinating the promotional effort.

Wife May Sue

Gingrich said Tuesday that his wife “resents the implication” in Alexander’s complaint that she was used as a conduit to funnel money to him in violation of House rules. He said she has contacted an attorney to determine if she has grounds for legal action.

In addition to the promotional deal, Gingrich said, the book involved a standard royalty contract in which he and his wife each received 3% royalties and Drake 2%.

However, Alexander said that the payments Gingrich received cannot be characterized as royalties because of the unique promotional deal associated with the book. Alexander said that those payments are not exempt from the House rule limiting outside earned income, as royalties are.