Panel Reportedly Nears End of Gingrich Probe

A House Ethics subcommittee Friday wrapped up five straight days of closed-door meetings amid indications that it is near completion of its high-stakes investigation of House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

Members of the investigative subcommittee refused to comment on their deliberations, but a source close to one member said that it appeared the panel was concluding its work and would soon notify the speaker of its findings.

The panel is under heavy pressure to finish before the end of the year because several lawmakers, including some Republicans, want it to report its findings before members vote on Jan. 7 whether to reelect Gingrich as speaker.

However, it is not clear that the matter will be resolved by then. If the subcommittee files formal charges against Gingrich, he has 30 days to respond.

Rep. Steven H. Schiff (R-N.M.), a member of the subcommittee, told reporters after Friday’s meeting: “As representatives, we understand the importance of Jan. 7 but that doesn’t mean we can do everything under our rules to fit Jan. 7.”

The panel has been reviewing allegations that Gingrich used tax-exempt contributions improperly to finance a college course he taught in 1993-95.

*

The panel, which hired former federal prosecutor James Cole as special counsel to conduct the inquiry, also is investigating whether Gingrich provided “accurate, reliable and complete information” about the course and its relationship to GOPAC, a political action committee that Gingrich headed for years. The course was financed by two tax-exempt foundations, but GOPAC staff members were involved in developing and raising money for the course.

Critics have charged that the course was part of Gingrich’s partisan effort to help the GOP win control of the House and therefore should not be financed by a tax-exempt foundation. Federal tax law prohibits tax-exempt foundations from engaging in any form of partisan activity.

Gingrich has argued that the course was purely educational and denies wrongdoing. He has denounced the investigation as a politically motivated crusade by Democrats who want to undermine his leadership.

The investigation is being handled by a four-member subcommittee of the House Ethics Committee. If that panel finds there is “reason to believe” that House rules have been violated, it can issue formal charges known as a “statement of alleged violation.”

*

Sources close to the subcommittee said that the panel would not release its findings until after Gingrich has a chance to respond, although Gingrich himself would be free to discuss the results.

If the panel, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, deadlocks, the charges would be dismissed and the two sides would report to the full committee and the House.

If the subcommittee issues a statement of alleged violations, another Ethics subcommittee would conduct hearings to review the evidence. If the allegations were proven, the full committee would decide on punishment. Potential sanctions for wrongdoing would range from a letter of rebuke to three kinds of formal sanctions that would require a vote by the full House--reprimand, censure and expulsion.

Members of the investigative subcommittee began this week’s series of meetings determined to wrap up the two-year investigation, aides said. On Monday, the panel called in Gingrich and his attorney for what was apparently a final round of questioning. On Thursday the panel called in two tax experts.

After the subcommittee finished its Friday meeting, Gingrich spokesman Tony Blankley refused to say whether the speaker had been notified of the panel’s findings. “I don’t expect to have anything to say this weekend,” said Blankley.

Although subcommittee members would not discuss their work after the Friday meeting, Republican sources said that the leadership is gearing up to inform rank-and-file members about the findings and how to respond to questions about it.

“We’re getting ready to talk to members. . . ,” said an aide to the House Republican Conference, the organization of all House Republicans. “Regardless of what the committee does, Newt will make a statement and will want to get it into members’ hands.”