patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

House Ethics Panel Finds Andrews Likely Misused Campaign Funds

The panel said longtime U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, a Democrat from Haddon Heights, didn't fully cooperate with the investigation.

 

Longtime U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) may have violated federal law by misusing campaign funds for personal expenses, an investigation by a House ethics panel has found. 

The panel found "substantial reason to believe" that Andrews improperly used campaign funds for expenses such as attending a lavish wedding in Scotland for a campaign supporter, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports

However, the committee that makes final decisions on ethics questions asked for more time to review the matter, according to the Inquirer.

In addition to the wedding, Andrews reportedly spent $97,000 in campaign funds on at least 18 trips to California from 2007 to 2011. Some of the trips coincided with his daughter Josie's recording sessions in California.

Josie Andrews is an aspiring singer and actress.

The ethics panel reported that Andrews did not fully cooperate with the investigation, and recommended subpoenaing Andrews' credit-card records, according to the Inquirer

In a statement released Friday, Rob Andrews continued to assert he did nothing wrong. He argued that the panel investigating him misapplied the law. 

Andrews, a Haddon Heights resident, was first elected to Congress in 1990. He represents New Jersey's 1st Congressional District, which comprises parts of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. 

To read a copy of the ethics panel's full report, click on the PDF above. 

Related Topics: Rob Andrews, Rob Andrews Investigation, and Rob Andrews campaign funds spending

W.D.78

7:12 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

they should also take a look at the west deptford public works and water and sewer workers that are using vacation time and comp. time and then putting on special police shirts and getting paid to dirrect traffic and work the concerts at riverwinds.Isn't that called double dipping? Why not let some young kid or someone that isn't working make some money for a change. sicking what goes on in this town.

Reply
Comment_arrow

redneckwillie3

7:55 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

got 2 words for ya. MOVE OUT

Comment_arrow

Kevin

8:05 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Yes redneckwillie, what a knucklehead response. Because life is that simple. WD78 is just exposing something that isn't right with local government. If it's going on in W. Deptford its probably going on elsewhere in South Jersey.

Concerned Resident

7:30 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

Another entitled Democrat dipping into the piggy bank!

Reply
Comment_arrow

W.D.78

8:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

got 2 words for you too and it's not thank you!

Comment_arrow

Jolly16Girl

9:03 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012

Agree with Concerned Resident!

Schu

9:53 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

We're the fools for voting this guy in every two years only to be disappointed by the way he treats his office. He's the smart one for getting away with this nonsense and we're the idiots for letting it happen.

Reply

DeniseFakeCPA

8:50 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Comeon guys. Politicians work so hard even when their not really elected. It's there right to dip in and take a little of the paupers money. It's only fair after all.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Concerned Resident

9:21 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Just ask the previous Democratic administration in WD, at least Andrews is in good company. We should replace the animals in the Cole Brothers Circus with this crew! I would pay to see that.

Paul J. DiBartolo

9:17 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Wait, Andrews "did nothing wrong..." and "...the panel investigating..." him "...misapplied the law." Come on. Rob, man up and play by the rules...or do you still think the laws we have to abide by don't apply to you?

Reply

Collingswoodnative

9:27 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Rob WAS a good person for supporting the people in the district when they needed help dealing with the feds, I know I'm one.

Now he's stayed too long and like many elected officials thinks we owe him a living.

Time for Rob to pack his bags and retire. I'm sure Jim Flurio could put him to work.

Reply

Paul J. DiBartolo

10:45 am on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Rob is embarrassing himself and his constituents. Why do they always need to be dragged out kicking and screaming? Be a man, Rob,and accept the fact that your own colleagues passed judgment on your actions.

Reply
Comment_arrow

AllTaxedOut

1:35 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012

They have to be dragged out because they've lost touch with the sort of reality the rest of us who aren't supported by generous lifetime public benefits packages and other über perks have to live by. Their reality doesn't look like our reality; it's not a pretty picture. There are some public officials like Rep. Andrews who so love the lifestyle their positions afford them that they are loathe to surrender that which fulfills most of their dreams unless there is a more promising gig within reach. Recall Andrews' failed challenge for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg's seat in which he had his wife, Camille stand in as a candidate for his U.S. House seat. At first, Andrews may have felt confident that he could handily wrest from the aged Lautenberg his long-held U.S. Senate seat, but it soon became obvious he had second thoughts on the matter when suddenly there was change in plans and Andrews' wife took his place in the House while he gambled on winning in the Senate. Of course, we know the outcome of that race, and Andrews was able to slip quietly back into his old House seat without missing a beat. As a powerful public official, to take a chance where a loss would mean one is out of the power loop is too much for some. Simply put, a return to the generic, homogeneous, and mostly predictable life of a well-paid private citizen just doesn't cut the mustard.

Comment_arrow

Paul J. DiBartolo

1:42 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012

(Paraphrased): "If I am unsuccessful in my primary bid for the Democratic Senate seat currently held by Frank Lautenberg, I will not re-enter the Congressional race for my current seat" (Rob Andrews).

Promise them anything...but give the voters amnesia.

Comment_arrow

AllTaxedOut

2:51 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2012

Ah, but the elephants never forget.

DoneWithNews

12:06 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012

I recall Rep. Andrews promised he was through with the House when he ran for Lautenberg's senate seat. Another broken promise from a bobble head lapdog for the left.

Once enough people stop thinking they're victims of somebody else's success, talking heads like Andrews will have to look for a real job instead of shoving Federal Government into every wound they open up and skimming privilege.

Although it was inspiring to watch him sit there bored, chatting with his buddies while Admiral Fallon spoke at the dedication for Camden Veterans' Cemetery. It's not easy to listen when you've made a long career out of jaw jacking and leaching off taxpayers.

Reply

F. Stone

1:21 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012

Andrews is just one more reason why New Jersey is a joke to the rest of the country. I never understood why Andrews staff uses campaign money to send flowers to campaign workers on birthdays and special occasions. His staff always used the same flower shop too. I wonder how much profit that flower shop will lose when Andrews is finally out of office. If Andrews truly appreciated these workers, he should spend his OWN money, not the campaign workers donations.

Reply

Schu

1:56 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012

What are we going to do this Nov when it comes to voting season? Support this man or not.

Reply

WD69

7:30 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012

the poor souls will re-elect this crook.for years we live with the deception that our elected officials can do no wrong.
some of us just overlook the lies and deceit and keep on voting the same ones in.
maybe it should be a wake up call and let them realize that they can be replaced and should be replaced.we all work hard for our money and these crooks just take from us like thay have a blank check to our tax money.
Just once i'd like to read where a politician lent a helping hand to the needy and poor

Reply
Comment_arrow

Schu

10:51 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012

The person you talk or will not be Rob Andrews.

tim oneill

2:03 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012

hey it's not like you didn't have a choice in the primary
There is a plan though people. there is a new Party in NJ and this country, it is called the Justice Party. The Justice Party of New Jersey. We aren't beholding to either party or the party bosses. Nor are we lackeys to wall street or the Big corpoations that currently run our govt.
It is a rigged system, we all know that. The Top 1% Congress and the parties make sure there isn't any competition by stifling 3rd party candidates

Reply

VietNam Vet

1:33 am on Monday, September 3, 2012

He's a democrap, so what do you expect? This is about normal for them, they are all crooked.

Reply
Comment_arrow

Schu

10:02 am on Monday, September 3, 2012

What are the voters going to do in nov?

Will Wea

10:57 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012

I don't care how he spends his donor's money, I care that he helped write the health care bill that will eventually have my employer stop offering insurance!

Reply

Leave a comment

 

The West Deptford Patch
Valentine's Shopping Guide

See the full guide!

Patch Picks