Leading Democrat Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has been hit with an ethics complaint over allegations he used his powerful position on the House Oversight Committee to enrich himself through a pay-to-play scheme.
Krishnamoorthi also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as the chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy.
An ethics complaint was filed after Krishnamoorthi agreed to do a fundraiser with two lobbyists connected to the target of an investigation by the congressman’s committee.
The American Accountability Foundation says Krishnamoorthi may have violated House ethics rules over the May fundraiser hosted by lobbyists Mike and Tom Manatos.
“It’s clear that Rep. Krishnamoorthi, members of his staff, and perhaps others, violated House ethics rules and the federal bribery statute by raising — and agreeing to accept — campaign donations in exchange for using the power of the Oversight Committee to investigate and permanently damage the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins at the behest of wealthy lobbyists with an ax to grind against their local sports franchise,” said Tom Jones, the president of the American Accountability Foundation.
“The language in the invitation linking a fundraiser to Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s role in the investigation of the team is evidence of a corrupt quid pro quo to cause damage to the team and its leadership,” Jones added.
“By canceling the event, Rep. Krishnamoorthi not only revealed his guilty conscience but also underscored the scope of his violation of both House and federal statutes.
“The American people deserve better from our elected representatives, and we call on the House Ethics Committee – and the DOJ, if warranted – to take appropriate action against Rep. Krishnamoorthi for his clear abuse of power and duty,” he said.
Our delegation met with Singapore’s Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean.
In our meeting, our Members saluted Singapore’s commitment to a free & open Indo-Pacific & advancing security & stability in the region. We also learned about Singapore’s efforts to address the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/bhLoqrEtjw
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 1, 2022
Krishnamoorthi is currently leading the investigation into the NFL’s Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
The American Accountability Foundation sent a formal letter to the House Ethics Committee demanding an investigation into the congressman’s conduct.
To make matters worse for the powerful Democrat, an email show that Mike Manatos pitched the fundraiser as a chance to discuss with Krishnamoorthi the ongoing investigation into the team.
“The one person in Washington who may have found a path to getting rid of Snyder is my good friend and Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi,” Manatos wrote.
“Tom and I hope you can join us on May 10 as a small group of us meets with Raja to discuss his efforts.”
