Ethics Panel Rejects Complaint

The House ethics committee told a group of Democrats the complaint they filed in mid-December against Speaker Newt Gingrich had procedural errors and suggested it be resubmitted.

The complaint’s chief sponsor, Democratic Whip David Bonior, said Friday he would send it back next week. The committee informed the Michigan Democrat of the problem Thursday night.

Originally filed Dec. 14 by five Democrats, the complaint contends Gingrich violated federal tax, election gift and bribery laws as well as congressional standards of conduct.

Although the development involves purely technical issues, it delays action on allegations that could broaden an existing investigation into the speaker’s conduct.