Eddie Bernice Johnson Broke Rule on Scholarships, Attorney Says

A Dallas congresswoman violated Congressional Black Caucus Foundation rules by awarding scholarship money to four relatives and a top aide’s two children, an attorney for the organization said.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson initially denied that she showed favoritism but later said in a statement by her office to The Dallas Morning News that she “unknowingly” erred with some of the privately funded grants.

Caucus members are given $10,000 annually for scholarships and have great leeway in how they pick winners. However, the awards come with an anti-nepotism rule and require winners to live or study in the lawmaker’s district.

Johnson, a Democrat, said she will work with the foundation to “rectify the financial situation.” The foundation is funded by private and corporate donations.

Read more: (“U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas Broke Rule on Scholarships, Attorney Says,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 08/29/10)