For Immediate Release: For More Information Contact:
Wednesday, March 29, 1995 Gary Ruskin (202) 296-2787
Open Letter From Ralph Nader to Representative Nancy Johnson
Concerning Authorizing an Independent Counsel to Investigate Charges
Against Speaker Newt Gingrich
I am writing to request that you immediately halt House Committee on Standards of Official
Conduct deliberations on ethics complaints pending against House Speaker Newt Gingrich until
you authorize an independent counsel to investigate the charges against him.
Several news articles indicate that your Committee may have completed an initial review of the
charges pending against Mr. Gingrich. This is a serious and indefensible breach of tradition by
the Committee. Since 1980, the Committee has authorized independent counsel for every
significant ethics investigation. Why do you insist on breaking with this tradition?
The Committee does not have sufficient credibility among the American people to warrant your
proceeding with a review of the long list of credible charges against Speaker Gingrich. Your
own partisan ties to him, as well as your early support for his candidacy for House Minority
Whip, and your monetary contribution to his campaign committee raise doubts about whether the
charges against Speaker Gingrich will receive a full, thorough investigation, or a sweetheart
whitewash. The charges against Speaker Gingrich are serious; they do not belong in your hands
-- until after a non-partisan independent counsel of unquestioned integrity is appointed.
Speaker Gingrich has demonstrated a serious disregard and contempt for some basic ground
rules upon which our democracy is built. The attached list of alleged violations of law, and
House Rules is indicative. Perhaps to him these laws and rules are a species of ethical "gnats"
which buzz meaninglessly in the wind. But to taxpayers and voters, they provide what feeble
protection we have against the overwhelming influence of money on politics. These laws and
Rules are expected to prevent members of Congress -- and the entire federal government -- from
being bought or rented.
Mr. Gingrich himself said it best when calling for an independent counsel to review the more
limited charges facing then-Speaker Jim Wright:
The more he has been scrutinized by the news media, the more questions about his possible
unethical behavior there are to be answered...The volume of published evidence clearly calls for
investigation, and, as the questions raised against the Speaker are serious, it is imperative that
this cloud no longer hang over this great institution. It is vital that the Ethics Committee hire
outside counsel and pursue these questions thoroughly. The trust of the public and the integrity
of the House will accept no lower standard. (Newt Gingrich news release 5/26/88).
Without an independent counsel, whatever decision the Committee might make regarding the
profusion of serious and credible charges against the Speaker will be tainted by the partisan ties
that you and several other Committee members have to Mr. Gingrich, as well as the justifiable
perception that Congress is a "good ol' boys" club whose members lack the integrity needed to
police themselves.
-30-
Ethics Complaints Pending Against Speaker Newt Gingrich
The Audio and Video College Class
Documents obtained under the Georgia Open Record Act indicate that Speaker Gingrich's
"Renewing American Civilization" college class was closely linked to GOPAC, and that
Congressional resources -- supported by tax dollars -- may have been used to assist the formation
of the class.
Complaint:
Ben Jones, 9/7/94; as amended 1/26/95.
Sources:
"Gingrich's College Course Linked to Republican PAC," Glenn Bunting and Alan Miller, Los Angeles Times, 2/21/95.
"Gingrich Didn't Give Ethics Panel Full Story," Associated Press/Washington Times, 3/13/95.
"Nancy Johnson and the Gingrich Case," Albert Hunt, Wall Street Journal, 3/2/95.
"Gingrich Aided Pharmaceutical Firm That Later Contributed to Foundation," Glenn Simpson,
Roll Call, 1/5/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich's Use of GOPAC staff to support the class violate House Rules and federal law?
What did Gingrich do in exchange for the $25,000 contribution the Progress & Freedom Foundation received from Richard Berman, Executive Director of the Employment Policies Institute? The attached note says: "Newt -- Thanks for your help on today's committee hearing."
Did Gingrich violate House Rules and tax law by soliciting tax deductible funds for partisan purposes?
Did Gingrich improperly peddle his video and audio tapes to the Business Roundtable and the Managed Futures Association?
Did Gingrich improperly intervene with White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta on behalf of
Direct Access Diagnostics? Direct Access Diagnostics, its president Elliott Millenson, and its
parent company Johnson and Johnson, all contributed to the Progress & Freedom Foundation.
The Book Deal
Speaker Gingrich's proposes to sign a contract with Rupert Murdoch's HarperCollins Publishing
to produce two books. Murdoch currently faces a Federal Communication Commission
investigation concerning foreign media ownership, and has several matters pending before
Congress. Murdoch and his chief lobbyist met with Gingrich at the time when the book
arrangement was taking shape.
Complaint:
Ben Jones, as amended 1/26/95.
Sources:
"Independent Counsel for Gingrich Book," Robert Scheer, Los Angeles Times, 1/22/95.
"Do Unto Gingrich," Richard J. Phelan, New York Times, 1/3/95.
"Speaker Says Meeting Murdoch, Fox Lobbyist Was Not Improper," Kevin Merida, Washington Post, 1/18/95.
"Gingrich Book Deal Stir More Calls For Probe," Michael Ross, Los Angeles Times, 1/13/95.
"Murdoch Lobbyist Explains Meeting With Gingrich," Phil Kuntz, Wall Street Journal, 1/16/95.
"Bidders and Losers," David Streitfeld, Washington Post, 1/13/95.
"Aide Says Murdoch Discussed TV Case With Gingrich Before Big Book Offer," Phil Kuntz,
Wall Street Journal, 1/13/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich signal any likely favors for Rupert Murdoch in exchange for the book
contract?
Joe Gaylord
Several recent news articles suggest that Joe Gaylord, who is a GOPAC consultant, appears
to be performing official duties within Speaker Gingrich's office. Federal law and House
Ethics Rules prohibit the use of private funds to finance a Congressional office.
Complaint:
Ralph Nader and Gary Ruskin, 2/13/95.
Sources:
"Top Gingrich Aide Not Even a Staffer," Roll Call, 1/16/95.
"Joseph Gaylord, Newt Gingrich's 'Eyes and Ears,' Is expected to play a Major Role in Washington," Phil Kuntz, Wall Street Journal, 12/8/94.
"Joseph R. Gaylord: 'The Closest to Newt," Richard Cohen, National Journal, 1/14/95.
Remaining Questions:
Does Joe Gaylord perform official duties for Gingrich?
Has Gaylord been involved in any Congressional decision-making related to any of the
donors to GOPAC?
The Jones Intercable Gift
Speaker Gingrich received 20 free hours of television time from Jones Intercable, Inc. The
gift is worth approximately $150,000-$200,000. Gingrich will use this time to broadcast his
video college course. Jones Intercable has several matters pending before Congress,
including cable deregulation, and telecommunications reform. Glenn Jones, owner of
Jones Intercable, has also expressed interest in purchasing local public television stations
that might become insolvent if the Corporation for Public Broadcasting were defunded.
Complaint:
Reps. Pat Schroeder, Harry Johnston, and Cynthia McKinney, 2/23/95.
Sources:
"Special Counsel for Gingrich's Cable Dealings," Robert Scheer, Los Angeles Times,
3/7/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich accept an illegal gift?
Did Gingrich promise anything in return for the $150,000-$200,000 gift?
Was there any connection between Gingrich's advocacy for defunding the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting and the gift from Jones Intercable?
Misuse of Official Resources to Promote College Course
Gingrich has used the House Floor and the Congressional Record on five separate
occasions to advertise his video and audio college course. Last April, he even gave out a
"800" number from the House Floor so that C-SPAN viewers and others could order his
line of video and audio tapes. Gingrich was warned in 1990 by the House Ethics
Committee that any future "improper use of mail and resources may result in more severe
Committee action."
Complaint:
Rep. David Bonior, 3/8/95.
Sources:
"Gingrich Promoted College Course on House Floor Despite Warning," Serge Kovaleski,
Washington Post, 3/5/95.
Remaining Questions:
Does Gingrich's use of House Floor and the Congressional Record to advertise his video and audio college course constitute a violation of House Rules?
More Questionable Conduct By Newt Gingrich
FEC Sues GOPAC
The Federal Election Commission is suing GOPAC because it failed to register as a federal
political action committee, and did not file required financial reports of contributors and
expenditures for several years.
Source:
FEC v. GOPAC, Inc., Civil Action No. 94-0828, pending in U.S. District Court for the
District of Columbia.
Gingrich Used Congressional Staff, Materials for His Campaign and Other Political Purposes?
"Gingrich and his staff appear to have routinely skirted the spirit -- if not the letter -- of
House rules that separate the government's resources from the outside pursuits of
members..." argues an LA Times article. The article also quotes former Gingrich district
administrator Dolores Adamson stating "Newt's attitude was: The rules don't apply to
me." Also, the article asserts that "the lawmaker's staff members, former employees say,
were frequently assigned to do campaign work on government time, top aides and
Gingrich's congressional letterhead were used to maintain a college course he taught as a
sideline; the Georgia Republican himself pitched partisan and personal projects on the
House floor, and his clerical staff was assigned to help produce a book for which Gingrich
and his wife received $24,000 in royalties."
Source:
"Questions Raised About Gingrich's House Ethics," Glenn Bunting and Alan Miller, Los
Angeles Times, 3/20/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich violate the False Claims act by falsely certifying that his Congressional office funds had been applied to official purposes -- when some had been used for campaign or other political purposes? (31 U.S.C. 3729-31)
Did Gingrich submit a false statement to the government by falsely certifying that his Congressional office funds had been applied to official purposes -- when some had been used for campaign or other political purposes? (18 U.S.C. 1001)
Did Gingrich misuse appropriated funds? (31 U.S.C. 1301(a))
Did Gingrich instruct his Congressional employees to violate prohibitions against the campaign use of official Congressional resources?
Did "two top House aides on the Congressional payroll openly [run] Gingrich's re-election campaign from his district office" in 1984?
Did "a top congressional aide [work] on Gingrich's campaign 'all the time' out of the district office while on the government payroll" in 1986?
How much time did Gingrich staff spend during working hours on Gingrich's video and
audio college course?
Gingrich Misleads Ethics Committee?
Rep. Gingrich apparently omitted GOPAC's role in financing and promoting his
"Renewing American Civilization" course when he asked the House Ethics Committee for
approval and clearance to teach the course.
Source:
"Gingrich Didn't Give Ethics Panel Full Story," Associated Press/Washington Times, 3/13/95.
"Gingrich's College Course Linked to Republican PAC," Glenn Bunting and Alan Miller,
Los Angeles Times, 2/21/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich mislead the House Ethics Committee to gain their approval to teach his
college course?
Marianne Gingrich and IEDC
Speaker Gingrich promoted an Israeli free trade zone in meetings with Israeli officials. His
wife, Marianne Gingrich, was subsequently given a job with the Israel Export
Development Co., which is seeking support from U.S. businesses for such a zone. Mrs.
Gingrich has no experience in international trade. Her most recent previous employment
was as a image consultant for BeautiControl Cosmetics. Her only relevant background in
economic development came in the 1970's as a county planner in Ohio.
Sources:
"Gingrich's Wife Was Hired by Investors After He Backed Their Proposal in Israel," Phil Kuntz, Wall Street Journal, 2/6/95.
Susan Baer, Baltimore Sun, 2/10/95.
Public i, Center for Public Integrity, 3/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich do any favors for IEDC so that they would hire his wife?
Did Gingrich improperly cash in on his position by encouraging IEDC to hire his wife?
Did Marianne Gingrich accept employment from IEDC in order to, in part, evade a House
Ethics Committee ruling preventing her from travelling to Israel at IEDC expense "since it
might be misconstrued as a gift."
Gingrich Does Favors For Big Donor?
Solvay Pharmaceuticals gave $30,000 to the Progress and Freedom Foundation for study
on speeding FDA drug approvals. Gingrich wrote the Food and Drug Administration on
behalf of a Solvay Pharmaceuticals drug application on July 22, 1994. Gingrich also
introduced two bills to aid Solvay on July 27, 1993 and a third bill in May, 1994 to assist
Solvay. Gingrich only introduced nine bills during the 103rd Congress.
Sources:
"Gingrich Interceded With FDA for Firm That Had Donated Money to Foundation," Phil Kuntz and Laurie McGinley, Wall Street Journal, 2/2/95.
"Gingrich Introduced Legislation to Aid Firm That Was Donor to Think Tank," Phil
Kuntz, Wall Street Journal, 2/3/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich intercede with the FDA on behalf of Solvay in exchange for a $30,000 contribution to the Progress & Freedom Foundation?
Did Gingrich introduce legislation on behalf of Solvay in exchange for a $30,000
contribution to the Progress & Freedom Foundation?
Mutual Back-Scratching With College Dean?
Kennesaw State College Dean Timothy Mescon wrote a letter to Gingrich in September,
1992 requesting assistance in landing U.S. Agency for International Development contracts
for his business, the Mescon Group. Gingrich provided this assistance in October, 1992.
On March 24, Dean Mescon extended an offer to Gingrich to teach his college course at
Kennesaw State College.
Source:
"Gingrich Paper Chase Led to Teaching Job," Associated Press/Washington Times,
1/31/95.
Remaining Questions:
Did Gingrich improperly provide favors to Dean Mescon to US AID so that Mescon might
allow him to teach his video and audio college course at Kennesaw State College?
Did Gingrich Use College and Dean for Political Gain?
Kennesaw State College dropped Gingrich's college course after discovering the
involvement of GOPAC's political resources in the course. Dean Mescon said that the
arrangement is "just not appropriate on a state university campus...In hindsight, we would
never do this again. There's no question about that....I feel horrendous about this thing,
and it's embarrassing."
Source:
"Gingrich's College Course Linked to Republican PAC," Glenn Bunting and Alan Miller,
Los Angeles Times, 2/21/95.
Remaining Questions:
Was Gingrich's use of Kennesaw State College serious enough to warrant a charge that he
violated the House Code of Official Conduct by not "conduct[ing] himself at all times in a
manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives?
Big Donor Let Off The Hook: No More House Investigation
A House Energy and Commerce Committee investigation of Golden Rule Insurance was
dropped after Speaker Gingrich's ascension. Last year, Rep. John Dingell said that Golden
Rule "routinely engages in extraordinary practices designed to intimidate, coerce, and
frighten...and scares consumers with doomsday predictions shored up by misinformation
and threats of canceled policies." Golden Rule executives have contributed $117,076 to
GOPAC, $42,510 to Gingrich's campaign committee, and an undisclosed amount to the
Progress & Freedom Foundation.
Source:
"Firm's Investment in Congress is Paying Off," David Dahl, St. Petersburg Times, 2/26/95.
Remaining Questions:
Was Gingrich involved in terminating a House investigation of Golden Rule Insurance?
What Exactly Does This Money Buy?
One GOPAC fundraising letter last year signed by Gingrich states "Will you help me draft
the Republican legislative agenda for the 104th Congress?" A "Request for Funding"
letter sent to potential donors to Gingrich's college course states that $50,000 donors to the
Progress & Freedom Foundation "will work directly with the leadership of the Renewing
American Civilization project in the course development process." And $25,000 donors will
be "invited to participate in the course development process."
Sources:
"Has Gingrich Gone Too Far With GOPAC?" Eliza Newlin Carney, National Journal, 10/1/94.
"Gingrich's College Course Linked to Republican PAC," Glenn Bunting and Alan Miller,
Los Angeles Times, 2/21/95.
Remaining Questions:
What do GOPAC and Progress & Freedom Foundation donors receive in exchange for their contributions?
Has Gingrich done favors for any of these donors?
Is it appropriate for Gingrich to invite big GOPAC donors to help "draft the Republican legislative agenda for the 104th Congress"?