WASHINGTON — The House ethics committee announced Friday it will continue its investigation into allegations that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. or someone acting on his behalf offered to raise campaign cash for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for a Senate appointment in 2008.
The committee also released an initial report from the Office of Congressional Ethics that said there was “probable cause” to think Jackson either directed a third party or had knowledge of a third party’s effort to persuade the since-convicted Blagojevich to appoint Jackson in exchange for campaign cash.
The report, originally compiled in August 2009, also said there is “substantial reason to believe” Jackson violated federal law by using his congressional staff to mount a “public campaign” to secure a Senate appointment.
The report had not been released previously, and the ethics committee delayed its investigation because the Justice Department was conducting a criminal investigation that led to Blagojevich’s conviction.
Denver Post wire services
