WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee announced Monday it has decided to extend an investigation into claims Rep. Marie Newman, D-Ill., promised a political rival a job so he wouldn’t run against her in the 2020 primary election, a potential violation of federal law.
The decision followed an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics – a separate entity – concluding there was “substantial reason” to believe the allegation of political bribery.
Newman, a freshman congresswoman, is alleged to have offered a federal job to Iymen Chehade, a former policy adviser to her 2020 congressional campaign, in exchange for his political support, according to a report released by the office.