09-2222

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Bennie Thompson

On June 8, 2009, the OCE transmitted a referral to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the United States House of Representatives regarding Representative Bennie Thompson.

Nature of Review

There is substantial reason to believe that Congressman Bennie Thompson's participation in the 13th Annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in St. Maarten, N.A. from November 6-9, 2008, his acceptance of reimbursement of expenses to attend that conference and the Member Post Travel Disclosure Form he filed violated various provisions of House Rule XXV Section 5(b).

OCE Recommendation

The Board of the OCE recommended that the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct further review the above allegations.

Committee Conclusion

On June 24, 2009, the Committee established an Investigative Subcommittee to conduct an inquiry regarding this matter.

On February 26, 2010, the Committee released a report from the Subcommittee finding that Representative Thompson did not knowingly commit a violation, but inadvertently received impermissible gifts of travel that required repayment.