Nancy Mace under investigation by House ethics panel for allegedly overcharging Congress for housing costs
GOP Rep. Nancy Mace is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly trying to profit from a congressional program intended to cover housing costs for lawmakers’ Washington, D.C., residences — an allegation she has denied.
The South Carolina Republican requested and was paid roughly $9,500 beyond the actual cost of his D.C. residency, according to a newly released report from the Office of Congressional Conduct.
“There is significant reason to believe that Representative Mace has engaged in improper reimbursement practices,” the nonpartisan watchdog group said in its official referral to the House Ethics Committee. Ethics committee Announced Monday is researching the issue.
Mace was participating in a housing reimbursement program for members of Congress that aims to help subsidize lodging, food and travel expenses for lawmakers who need to support themselves both in Washington and in their districts. The program has come under intense scrutiny because it does not require detailed spending and provides a large salary increase to MPs who actively participate.
Mace did not respond to questions from the Office of Congressional Conduct, according to the report.
However, Mace’s attorney, William Sullivan, strongly disputed the allegations. Letter to the parliamentary ethics committeeHe called the report “fundamentally flawed”.
Sullivan suggested the report’s wording made it sound like she was “influenced by Representative Mace’s ex-fiancée,” who co-owns the house with her.
Mace is not seeking re-election to the House of Representatives and is running in the GOP primary to become South Carolina’s next governor.
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