House Ethics Panel Finds Andrews Likely Misused Campaign Funds

Longtime U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) may have violated federal law by misusing campaign funds for personal expenses, an investigation by a House ethics panel has found. 

The panel found "substantial reason to believe" that Andrews improperly used campaign funds for expenses such as attending a lavish wedding in Scotland for a campaign supporter, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

However, the committee that makes final decisions on ethics questions asked for more time to review the matter, according to the Inquirer.

In addition to the wedding, Andrews reportedly spent $97,000 in campaign funds on at least 18 trips to California from 2007 to 2011. Some of the trips coincided with his daughter Josie's recording sessions in California.

Josie Andrews is an aspiring singer and actress.

The ethics panel reported that Andrews did not fully cooperate with the investigation, and recommended subpoenaing Andrews' credit-card records, according to the Inquirer. 

In a statement released Friday, Rob Andrews continued to assert he did nothing wrong. He argued that the panel investigating him misapplied the law. 

Andrews, a Haddon Heights resident, was first elected to Congress in 1990. He represents New Jersey's 1st Congressional District, which comprises parts of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. 

To read a copy of the ethics panel's full report, click on the PDF above.