The pressure is building on Congressman John Conyers as Michigan Democrats call for a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and using taxpayer money to cover it up.
Conyers, a Detroit Democrat, has acknowledged he settled a sexual harassment complaint using his House office fund. He denies any improper behavior. But the settlement itself, and the possibility it included paying the woman who complained for a no-show job in Conyers’ office, could violate House rules. The House has a fund for legal settlements, and lawmakers are not supposed to use their office accounts for that purpose.
Democrats are not rallying around Conyers, a civil rights movement legend and the dean of the House. The state Democratic Party issued a statement calling for a formal ethics investigation.