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House Ethics Panel Extends Inquiry Into Rep. Tom Garrett

Virginia Republican allegedly had congressional aides run personal errands

Rep. Tom Garrett, R-Va., who faces a House Ethics inquiry, has said he is retiring to confront his excessive drinking. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Rep. Tom Garrett, R-Va., who faces a House Ethics inquiry, has said he is retiring to confront his excessive drinking. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The House Ethics Committee has extended its investigation into Rep. Thomas Garrett, the panel said in a release Friday. 

The Virginia Republican freshman, who is not running for re-election, faces allegations that he used his congressional aides to run personal errands for him and his wife on taxpayer-funded official time. He’s also been plagued by questions about whether his alcohol use has affected his work in Congress.

The Ethics Committee began reviewing the allegations against Garrett on June 8 and received a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics on Sept. 5.

The panel will announce its course of action on or before Dec. 4, the release stated.

House ethics rules prohibit lawmakers from using staff for anything other than official congressional duties. In recent years, the House Ethics panel has ended ongoing investigations into lawmakers who resigned or retired from the chamber once they were out of office.

Garrett announced in May he would not seek a second term to confront his excessive drinking.

Griffin Connolly contributed to this report.From the Archives: Garrett Says He’s Running for Re-Election in Winding Speech

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