Panel’s Probe of Gingrich Volunteer Ends

Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) did not comply with House rules when he let a Wisconsin businessman use his congressional office, but no further investigation is necessary, the House Ethics Committee ruled Friday.

The finding, in a letter to Gingrich, ends the inquiry into the work of Donald Jones, who was an unpaid volunteer last year trying to influence telecommunications legislation. Gingrich spokesman Tony Blankley said the speaker was “gratified that the committee has decided to take no action.”

Jones had extensive telecommunications holdings, but sold most of them before volunteering as a Gingrich advisor last year.

House rules permit members to temporarily use volunteers, provided that the office “has a clearly defined program.” The service performed must be “of significant educational benefit to the participant” and must not “supplant the normal and regular duties of paid employees.”

The rule is designed to stop private interests from performing congressional work and to prevent them from gaining a foothold in congressional offices.

“Mr. Jones’ participation in your office as an ‘informal advisor’ did not comply with applicable guidelines issued by this committee governing interns or volunteers,” said the letter from committee Chairwoman Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.) and ranking Democrat Jim McDermott of Washington.

“In the committee’s opinion, his services were not provided as part of a clearly defined education program.” At the same time, the committee said, Gingrich’s office “made efforts to ensure that his participation was proper” but mistakenly followed ethics guidance governing outside advisory groups.

The complaint was filed by the Congressional Accountability Project, affiliated with consumer advocate Ralph Nader, and by Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez).

The committee action has no effect on an outside counsel’s investigation of a college course taught by Gingrich and financed with tax-deductible donations.