Law Firm’s Ethics Inquiry Reportedly Clears Gingrich

A Chicago law firm appointed to investigate accusations of ethics violations by House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) has concluded that there is no basis to go forward with charges against him, congressional sources said Friday.

But sources close to the House Ethics Committee said the independent counsel made clear that many questions about Gingrich remain unanswered, despite a three-month inquiry into the allegations against him.

The panel has assigned its own staff to pursue the investigation and the case has not been resolved, the sources said. It may be considered by the 12-member committee, equally divided between Republicans and Democrats, when it meets again next week.

William Kunkle, a member of the same Chicago law firm that investigated the conduct of former Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) and recommended a long list of formal charges against him, presented the results of the firm’s investigation of Gingrich to the panel last week.

Gingrich, who filed the original charges against Wright, said that he hopes Kunkle’s report will be made public, just as the results of the Wright inquiry were disclosed.

“We’re waiting for the committee to finish its work, and we’ll continue to cooperate with the committee,” he said, adding that he had not been contacted by the panel.

The case revolves around charges that Gingrich violated House rules and federal campaign laws by collecting $105,000 from 21 investors in 1984 in connection with a book he wrote with two other people.

Gingrich said that the money was used to promote the book, although $10,000 of it was used to pay his wife for running the partnership.

A complaint filed by Rep. Bill Alexander (D-Ark.) charges that the $105,000 could be regarded as income to Gingrich in violation of House limits on outside income.

Or, Alexander said, it could be considered a gift to Gingrich in violation of House rules that forbid members of Congress to take gifts worth more than $100 from anyone with a direct interest in legislation.

If the funds are considered to be campaign contributions, Alexander said, Gingrich should have reported them.

Gingrich contends that he did not violate any House rules or federal laws by collecting the funds or using them to try to increase sales of his book, “Window of Opportunity,” through advertisements and travel to promote it.