Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona admits to 11 House ethics violations
Jul 30, 2020, 11:01 AM | Updated: 12:16 pm
U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., holds his daughter Olivia as he speaks to supporters, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at an election night party in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX – U.S. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona admitted to 11 ethics violations and agreed to paying a $50,000 fine, the House Ethics Committee announced Thursday.
The fifth-term Phoenix Republican had been under investigation for two years over allegations that his office misused funds.
“As part of a resolution Representative Schweikert negotiated with the ISC (Investigative Subcommittee), he agreed to admit to all eleven counts in the Statement of Alleged Violations adopted by the ISC, accept a sanction of reprimand and a $50,000 fine, and waive all further procedural rights in this matter provided to him by House or Committee Rule,” the ethics committee said in a press release.
The committee submitted its report on the investigation to the full House with the recommendation to adopt its terms.
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A Schweikert spokesperson gave KTAR News 92.3 FM the following statement:
“We are pleased the Committee has issued their report and we can move forward from this chapter. As noted in the review, all issues have been resolved and Congressman Schweikert will continue working hard for Arizona’s 6th District.”
The probe started in June 2018 when the Investigative Subcommittee was assigned to look into allegations that the congressman had received illegal campaign contributions from then-chief of staff Oliver Schwab and other staffers.
Schwab resigned the next month after seven years in his position.
The probe was expanded in December 2018 after additional potential improprieties were uncovered.
An April 2019 report from the Office of Congressional Ethics recommended further review of the claims, noting there was enough reason to “believe that Rep. Schweikert authorized expenditures from his (Members’ Representational Allowance) … that were not for permissible official expenses.”
Schweikert raised just under $200,000 in for his reelection campaign in the second quarter of 2020. His likely opponent in the November general election, Democrat Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, took in more than triple that amount for the race in District 6, which spans across the north Valley.
Tipirneni carried more than $1.6 million into the stretch run, while Schweikert had about $236,000 cash on hand.
