INDIANAPOLIS — The House Ethics panel is evaluating whether to launch an official investigation into Indiana GOP Rep. Marlin Stutzman.
The Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent ethics panel, is recommending a probe into Stutzman by the committee. The panel has submitted a report outlining potential violations, but it won’t be made public for 45 more days.
Stutzman is leaving the House after losing a GOP primary to replace retiring GOP Sen. Dan Coats.
Stutzman came under scrutiny during the primary after The Associated Press reported that he billed his campaign more than $2,000 in airfare for a family trip to the Ronald Reagan library in California, a violation of federal election laws. Stutzman routinely used campaign funds for travel expenses, meals and vehicle payments.
The AP also reported in May that Stutzman paid his brother-in-law about $170,000 to manage his finances of his congressional campaign. Before working for Stutzman, his brother-in-law was a car salesman and actor. Stutzman said he trusted his relative to “protect every dollar that comes from donors.”
