Davis Involved in Investigation of Potentially Illegal Campaign Fundraising by Congressman Schock
In 2013, after being less than a month in Congress, Davis was questioned in an ongoing investigation by the bipartisan Office of Congressional Ethics of possible illegal campaign fundraising by Congressman Aaron Schock. [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
Schock Allegedly Illegally Solicited Donations for a Republican Super PAC
According to Politico: “The allegations against Schock stemmed from a bitter GOP primary battle in Illinois last year between Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Rep. Don Mazullo.
Schock backed Kinzinger in the primary, and he began asking other members like Cantor for campaign contributions in order to run TV ads supporting Kinzinger. The money, including a $25,000 donation from Cantor’s leadership fund, was funneled to a super PAC called the Campaign for Primary Accountability, which spent more than $200,000 on the race on Kinzinger’s behalf.” [Politico,2/06/13]
Schock backed Kinzinger in the primary, and he began asking other members like Cantor for campaign contributions in order to run TV ads supporting Kinzinger. The money, including a $25,000 donation from Cantor’s leadership fund, was funneled to a super PAC called the Campaign for Primary Accountability, which spent more than $200,000 on the race on Kinzinger’s behalf.” [Politico,2/06/13]
Schock Admitted Soliciting a $25,000 Donation from Eric Cantor
Congressman Schock told Roll Call that he has personally asked Cantor for a $25,000 contribution for the super-PAC. Members of Congress are not allowed to solicit donations worth more than $5,000 for a super-PAC. [Politico, 2/06/13]
Office of Congressional Ethics: Reason to Believe Schock Violated Federal Law
According to the Office of Congressional Ethics, Schock may have solicited contributions for the Republican super-PAC, Campaign for Primary Accountability, in excess of $5,000 per donor, while raising money for Representative Adam Kinzinger. The Office of Congressional Ethics contended “there is substantial reason to believe that Representative Schock violated federal law, House rules and standards of conduct.” [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
Davis was Involved in Schock’s Questioned Fundraising Activities
Davis is part of the investigation because he was described as a contact between the super- Pac, Campaign for Primary Accountability, and Schock’s effort to raise money on behalf of Representative Kinzinger. [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
Davis Refused to Cooperate with Office of Congressional Ethics Investigation
The Office of Congressional Ethics said that Davis refused to cooperate with its investigation into the allegations of the illegal fundraising. [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
Office of Congressional Ethics: Davis’ Refusal to Cooperate Supports Conclusion that Alleged Violation Occurred
The Office of Congressional Ethics report said that “the OCE draws a negative inference from Mr. Davis’ refusal to cooperate with the OCE. The OCE infers that the information Mr. Davis refused to provide, taken together with the factual findings in this referral, supports the conclusion that there is substantial reason to believe that the alleged violation occurred.” [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
Davis Refuses to Say Why He is Not Cooperating with the OCE Investigation
Davis refused to say why he won’t cooperate with the on-going Office of Congressional Ethics investigation. [WTAX News Radio, 2/08/13]
The Office of Congressional Ethics Recommended Davis be Subpoenaed
The Office of Congressional Ethics recommended in its report to the House Ethics Committee that Davis be subpoenaed in its investigation, since Davis has refused to cooperate with the probe. The OCE does not have subpoena power. [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
House Ethics Committee is Now Investigating Alleged Ethics Violation
Following the Office of Congressional Ethics’ recommendation, the House Ethics Committee has pledged to investigate the allegations against Schock. [Politico, 2/06/13]