Pelosi: Ethics Probe for Weiner

Politico reports:

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Steve Israel, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, have called for an investigation into Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) over the series of sexually explicit conversations and lewd photos he exchanged with a half-dozen women during the last several years.

“I am deeply disappointed and saddened about this situation; for Anthony’s wife, Huma, his family, his staff and his constituents,” Pelosi said in a statement released on Monday night. “I am calling for an Ethics Committee investigation to determine whether any official resources were used or any other violation of House rules occurred.”

Israel added: “Congressman Anthony Weiner engaged in a deep personal failure and inappropriate behavior that embarrassed himself, his family, and the House. Ultimately, Anthony and his constituents will make a judgment about his future.”

“To remove all remaining doubt about this situation, I agree with Leader Pelosi’s request that the House Ethics Committee use its authority to begin an investigation.”

The calls by Pelosi and Israel for an ethics investigation dramatically raise the political stakes for Weiner. While Weiner stated repeatedly during an emotional press conference on Monday that he had broken no laws nor violated House ethics rules during his interaction with the women, a probe by the House Ethics Committee could find differently. Under its rules, the Ethics Committee can initiate an investigation under its own authority, without a formal complaint being filed.