Statement Regarding the Investigative Subcommittee in the Matter of Representative Chris Collins
Pursuant to Committee Rule 7(f), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined on October 1, 2019, to release the following statement regarding the Investigative Subcommittee in the Matter of Representative Chris Collins:
In the 115th Congress, on October 12, 2017, the Committee on Ethics (Committee) announced that it was reviewing allegations referred by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) regarding Representative Chris Collins. The Committee published OCE’s referral at that time. Subsequently, on August 8, 2018, Representative Collins was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud, and false statements stemming from allegations separate from those already under review by the Committee. On September 6, 2018, the Committee unanimously voted to establish an Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) to determine whether Representative Collins violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that he engaged in unlawful conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud; purchased discount stock that was not available to the public; took official actions on behalf of a company in which he had a significant financial interest; and made false statements to, withheld information from, or otherwise misled federal investigators. At that time, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had requested that the Committee defer consideration of the matters in DOJ’s jurisdiction. The Committee unanimously recommended to the ISC that it defer action as to those matters.
On May 3, 2019, in accordance with House Rule XI, clause 3, and Committee Rules 10(a)(2) and 18(e)(2), and following Committee precedent, the Committee announced it had unanimously voted to reestablish the ISC in the 116th Congress. The DOJ had requested that the Committee continue to defer consideration of the matters in DOJ’s jurisdiction. The Committee, again following precedent, unanimously recommended to the ISC that it defer action as to those matters.
The House received Representative Collins’ resignation on October 1, 2019. As a consequence, the Investigative Subcommittee and the Committee no longer have jurisdiction over him. The Committee considers this matter closed.
No other public statement will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules.
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