Ethics probe 'should be dismissed'

The U.S. House Ethics Committee is looking into the alleged misspending of more than $200,000 in campaign funds by Mississippi Rep. Steven Palazzo. In response, Palazzo’s office believes the matter “should be dismissed” in early 2021. “Congressman Palazzo looks forward to fully cooperating with the Ethics Committee during its review and plans to show that he has followed the Ethics Rules of the House of Representatives and that this matter should be dismissed,” spokesperson Colleen Kennedy said. Former Mississippi congressman Greg Harper will be representing Palazzo when he goes before the ethics panel. In September, the Ethics Committee received notice that Palazzo may be misusing campaign funds. On Dec. 17, the panel released a statement saying Chairman Ted Deutsch of Florida and ranking Republican member Kenny Merchant of Texas have “decided to extend the matter” regarding Palazzo. The committee won’t take action until the 117th Congress takes office on Jan. 3. In the meantime, some politicians, including Joey Fillingane and Dane Maxwell, have begun considering the idea of running for Palazzo’s seat, if it opens up after the committee's review. (Source: News Mississippi 12/23/20)