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Howell releases ethics panel letter Date published: 11/25/2009
BY CHELYEN DAVIS House Speaker Bill Howell yesterday said he will support reviewing the way the House of Delegates investigates possible ethical violations by its members. Howell also released the results of a House ethics panel investigation into a former delegate, Phil Hamilton, who faced action related to steering state money to Old Dominion University while angling for a job with the university's teaching center. The ethic's panel report is simple: a paragraph saying there is no report. In a brief letter to Howell, who had requested the investigation, members said that because Hamilton resigned his seat last week, the panel no longer has jurisdiction to investigate him. "While I regret that their fact-finding inquiry did not reach a final conclusion whether an actual violation of state law occurred, I understand the decision by the ethics panel and respect them for not wanting to operate outside of the legal authority granted by the Code of Virginia," Howell said. Hamilton, a Republican from Newport News, had been a key member of the House budget-writing Appropriations Committee. E-mails obtained by newspapers in his home region showed earlier this year that Hamilton had been pursuing a job with the teaching center at the same time he was submitting budget amendments for the center. Hamilton lost his bid for re-election earlier this month, but instead of finishing out his term, resigned his seat. A federal probe into Hamilton's actions is ongoing. Under law, legislative ethics investigations do not have to be made public. In releasing the panel's letter, Howell praised the current process, but said he is open to examining it. "A benefit of this impartial process is how it defends the public trust by taking partisan politics out of any ethical inquiries involving the manner by which a delegate performs his or her legislative duties," Howell wrote in a press release. "Looking ahead I will lead in ensuring that the manner in which legislative ethics inquiries are conducted is thoughtfully examined during the 2010 session of the General Assembly." House Democrats also plan to push for changes to the House's ethics investigation process in the upcoming session. Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, a Republican, has also expressed support for an independent ethics commission. Chelyen Davis: 540/368-5028
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