Pursuant to Committee Rules 7(d) and 7(g), the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined on August 1, 2011, to release the following statement:
On May 18, 2011, the Committee received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) regarding Representative Gregory W. Meeks. The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), conducted a further review of the matter.
After further review, the Committee has unanimously voted to accept the OCE’s recommendation to dismiss an allegation that Representative Gregory W. Meeks received an improper loan in 2010. According to the referral from OCE, although it was not a commercial loan, it was made on commercially reasonable terms. The loan was supported by a recorded written agreement establishing an interest rate, collateral, and repayment terms.
The Committee has also accepted the OCE’s recommendation for further review of an allegation that Representative Meeks failed to disclose a payment he received in 2007 in a timely manner. The Committee is continuing to review that allegation pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a). The Committee notes that the mere fact of conducting further review, and any mandatory disclosure of such further review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.
In order to comply with Committee on Ethics Rule 7 regarding confidentiality, which is based on fairness to all respondents and the assurance of the integrity of its work, the Committee will refrain from making further public statements on this matter pending completion of its review.
Pursuant to Committee Rule 17A(c)(2), the Committee on Ethics hereby publishes OCE’s Report and Findings regarding Representative Gregory W. Meeks and Representative Meeks’ response.