House Ethics Panel Starts Inquiry Into 1997 Leak

The House ethics committee will investigate Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) to determine whether he violated standards of conduct when an illegally recorded telephone conversation was leaked to reporters during a committee investigation.

Committee Chairman Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) and ranking Democrat Alan B. Mollohan of West Virginia formed a four-member investigative subcommittee Tuesday to investigate the 1997 incident. McDermott was the ranking Democrat on the ethics committee at the time, and the panel was investigating the conduct of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.).

McDermott’s chief of staff, Jan Shinpoch, said the congressman had been advised of the investigation but had not been asked for any information.

The incident began when a Florida couple taped Rep. John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), who was using his cellphone to discuss the Gingrich case with other Republicans. The tape ended up in McDermott’s hands and subsequently was leaked to reporters.

Boehner sued McDermott in federal court. U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan concluded this year that McDermott was responsible for the leak and ordered the Washington lawmaker to pay Boehner for “willful and knowing misconduct” that “rises to the level of malice.” Boehner said the payment could total about $600,000, including his legal fees.

Boehner’s spokesman said Tuesday that he would have no further comment while the matter was pending.

McDermott is challenging the ruling in a federal appeals court.