Report: Congressional investigators probe Mooney on new ethics issues
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CHARLESTON - A story Tuesday morning in a Capitol Hill news publication alleged congressional investigators are probing Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., for possible use of staff for personal errands and tampering with documents.
Washington D.C.-based CQ Roll Call reported Tuesday that the Office of Congressional Ethics sent letters to people linked to Mooney last August and September seeking additional information for a second investigation into the 2nd District congressman.
According to Roll Call, letters sent to those linked to Mooney by OCE Staff Director Omar Ashmawy sought information "'...related to potential misuse of congressional or campaign funds or resources by Rep. Mooney or his campaign,' including 'misuse of congressional staff time for personal errands, campaign work or other unofficial purposes.'"
A request for comment from the Mooney campaign has not yet been returned.
Congressional investigators are seeking documents, information and policies for mileage reimbursement, as well as any information on trips scheduled by staff for Mooney and his family that were not for campaign or political purposes. Federal law prohibits use of congressional staff paid through Congress with taxpayer dollars from performing personal tasks. The Federal Election Commission prohibits using campaign donations to pay staff for personal tasks.
The article cites an incident where a staffer assisted Dr. Grace Mooney, the congressman's wife, in inquiring how to obtain her medical license in West Virginia. Another example cited a staffer contacting a mine museum in Beckley to obtain information for a school project for one of Mooney's three children as well as driving Mooney's children to private events and for errands.
According to a previous OCE investigation last summer, the results of which were released in October, investigators found Mooney used campaign donations for personal purchases, trips outside his district, food, his personal car and more. The OCE accused Mooney of improperly spending more than $40,000 since 2017 while paying back the campaign more than $12,000 after the allegations came to light.
A previous report by Roll Call found Mooney spent $1,900 for day-to-day meals at Chick-fil-a and $6,100 for a family trip to a California theme park that Mooney listed as political fundraising and dinner with a contributor.
The new OCE letters also sought "'...all documents and communications related to the withholding, editing, or tampering with any documents or information by Rep. Mooney, his counsel, or his staff during an investigation by the OCE.'" Investigators are trying to determine whether any calendar entries were withheld or whether changes were electronically made.
The OCE sent the results of its second investigation to the House Ethics Committee in December. The committee announced in February that it extended its review of the OCE investigation and is expected to announce its course of action on or before May 23, two weeks after the May 10 Republican primary.
Mooney opened a legal expense fund in February to help solicit donations to help pay for his costs during the course of the OCE and the House Ethics Committee investigation. To date, Mooney has paid more than $167,000 to two law firms.
Mooney is facing 1st District Rep. David McKinley in the May 10 primary for the new northern 2nd Congressional District that combines both of the districts currently represented by Mooney and McKinley.
"The expanding investigation and Congressman Mooney's legal problems should raise a number of concerns for the voters,” said Kevin Stephens, campaign manager for McKinley. “West Virginians deserve to know the truth about these serious and troubling allegations. While Alex Mooney is relying on high-priced D.C. lawyers to bail him out of trouble, David McKinley is solely focused on getting conservative results for the people of West Virginia."