An ethics investigation of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, top-ranked Republican woman in the House, is expanding as members of the House Ethics Committee look into allegations she mishandled campaign funds.
According to a
USA Today report, McMorris Rodgers' former communications director Todd Winer has met with investigators three times to discuss claims that the Washington Republican mixed campaign funds with official funds and tried to "intimidate and punish" him for speaking out.
Winer, who worked for McMorris Rodgers between 2009 and 2013, spent more than 10 hours with investigators during each of his three sessions with committee members.
McMorris Rodgers' attorney Elliot Berke said the allegations are false.
"From the beginning, the congresswoman and her staff have fully cooperated with the ethics committee, and will continue to do so should it have more questions," Berke told USA Today.
In February, McMorris Rodgers
publicly denied allegations that she had mishandled funds.
"We are confident that every activity was compliant with all federal laws, House rules, and standards of conduct," Nate Hodson, McMorris Rodgers' communications director, told Newsmax. "We are fully cooperating and look forward to seeing this matter dismissed."
A source told
Politico in February that Winer was a "disgruntled employee."
"The complaint to the [Office of Congressional Ethics] was made by a former disgruntled employee, Todd Winer, who was terminated from the office with cause after [McMorris Rodgers] became [House GOP] Conference chair, and she decided not to choose him for the communications director position at conference," the source said.
McMorris Rodgers also serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
McMorris Rodgers spent 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives before being elected to Congress in 2004. She has since been elected to four more terms. Her current term ends in 2015.
McMorris Rodgers delivered the
Republican Party's response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech earlier this year.
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