Blagojevich Ethics Probe Sidelined by Federal Investigation

Citing the federal investigation of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a House ethics panel said Wednesday that it would delay an inquiry into whether Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago or his representatives tried to secure the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama by promising to raise campaign cash for the then-governor.

In doing so, the panel made public for the first time allegations that Jackson used his congressional staff in Chicago and Washington to mount a “public campaign” for the open seat, a possible violation of federal law and House rules.

In a letter sent last week, the Justice Department asked the Ethics Committee to hold off from pursuing a full-blown probe of Jackson until after Blagojevich’s trial, slated for next year, saying it would “pose a significant risk of interfering with the pending criminal proceedings and ongoing investigation.”

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(James Oliphant, “House Ethics Probe of Congressman’s Link to Rod Blagojevich Case is Sidelined,” Chicago Tribune, 9/17/09)