Rangel Blamed for Ethics Offense

But Peter Flaherty, the president of the conservative National Legal and Policy Center, provided the committee with evidence suggesting that several companies that employ lobbyists may have underwritten at least a portion of the event. Ethics rules approved by Democrats severely restrict lawmakers from travel funded by companies that employ lobbyists.

Mr. Flaherty snapped pictures of lawmakers in front of signs that thanked corporate sponsors. He also provided The Wall Street Journal with a copy of the event’s program, which included the names of corporate sponsors.

Read more: (Greg Hitt and Brody Mullins, “Rangel Blamed for Ethics Offense,” Wall Street Journal, 2/26/10)