Not very good “watchdogs”

It’s the (D) that calms them.

Watchdogs are divided over whether the ethics committee should immediately investigate Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas).

Johnson has been accused of awarding thousands of dollars in college scholarships to four relatives as well as the child of a top aide over the past 5 years.

Johnson reportedly used Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation funds to dole out the scholarships, even though the recipients were ineligible under the nonprofit’s rules, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News.

Meredith McGehee, policy director for the Campaign Legal Center, said it appears that Johnson used her position to benefit a family member, which at the very least may have violated the Code of Ethics for Government Service.

But Melanie Sloan, executive director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, believes any investigation should begin with CBC Foundation executives because Johnson violated its rules. Sloan believes the foundation should do a full investigation and issue a public report on the circumstances surrounding the scholarships.

“While awarding scholarships to relatives is inexcusable in any event, the more serious question is whether Rep. Johnson knew she was violating the rules when she made the awards,” Sloan said.

CREW isn’t sure that she knew funneling scholarship monies to relatives was illegal?

But ask them about the recently exonerated Tom DeLay, who went through six years of being investigated by multiple branches of the federal government, and they’ll say that he “Must answer for his crimes.”

“Non-Partisan Watchdog Group” my pasty white ass.