House Ethics committee opens Conyers probe

WASHINGTON—The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Tuesday into Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., based on a report claiming he sexually harassed his staff and used taxpayer funds for a settlement to cover it up. BuzzFeed News published the report Monday evening and included documents showing Conyers settled a sexual harassment complaint in 2015 after a staffer accused him of firing her for rejecting his sexual advances. The documents show the woman dropped the charge and signed a nondisclosure agreement after Conyers paid her $27,111.75 from his personal office budget. “The committee is aware of public allegations that Rep. John Conyers Jr. may have engaged in sexual harassment of members of his staff, discriminated against certain staff on the basis of age, and used official resources for impermissible personal purposes,” said committee chairwoman Susan Brooks, R-Ind., and ranking member Ted Deutch, D-Fla., in a joint statement. Meanwhile, The Detroit Free Press editorial board called on the 88-year-old congressman to resign. Conyers is the longest-serving member of Congress. He first took office in 1965. Conyers admits the settlement with the former staffer but denies all claims of sexual harassment.