WASHINGTON – House ethics investigators are scrutinizing Rep. Joe Cowley (D-Bronx) in a wide-ranging probe of fund-raising activities, The Post has learned.
The House Office of Congressional Ethics notified Crowley’s office this month that it had opened a preliminary review of the congressman’s fund-raising, sources close to the investigation said.
A senior staffer for Crowley said the congressman is cooperating with the inquiry and that he expects the investigation will go nowhere.
“Congressman Crowley has always complied with the letter and spirit of all rules regarding fund-raising and standards of conduct,” the staffer said.
As part of the investigation, the ethics office also sent letters to several K Street lobbyists seeking detailed data on fund-raising and political contributions by Crowley and seven other lawmakers, the Hill newspaper reported Monday.
Crowley and the others swept up by the independent ethics investigation are all members of either the Financial Services or Ways and Means committees.
Crowley, a six-term congressman, sits on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.
Republican upstate Rep. Christopher Lee, a member of the Financial Services Committee, also is targeted in the probe.
“Chris believes strongly in accountability and is happy to comply with the OCE’s request,” Lee spokesman Matthew Harakal said.
The reason behind the probe remains unclear, but sources say it is likely linked to the Wall Street reform legislation.
The ethics office is an independent, citizen-run panel established in 2008 by the newly elected Democratic majority in Congress, which vowed to “drain the swamp” of corruption in Washington.