Ethics Commission is investigating US Representatives Ronny Jackson and Wesley Hunt from Texas

WASHINGTON – The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday ongoing investigations into U.S. Reps. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, and Wesley Hunt, R-Houston.

The committee did not provide details about the allegations against the Texans and it was unclear whether their cases were related.

The Office of Congressional Ethics receives many allegations and refers a small number to the committee for review. The committee is allowed to consider the recommendations confidentially for 45 days, but must make a public statement if it needs more time.

That’s why the statements about Jackson and Hunt were made on Thursday.

“The Committee notes that the mere fact of a transfer or extension and the mandatory disclosure of such extension and the name of the subject matter of the matter do not in themselves indicate that a violation has occurred nor do they reflect judgment on behalf of the Committee “The committee said in a statement.

The committee has until June 24 to release more information about the investigations into Hunt and Jackson.

“Congressman Hunt has cooperated fully with the House Ethics Committee and is extremely confident that the matter will be dismissed shortly,” Hunt spokesman Matthew Topolski said via email.

Topolski did not respond to questions about details of the investigation or the allegations.

The committee said in May 2022 that Jackson was the subject of an investigation into whether he used campaign funds for personal use. Jackson’s legal team said nothing inappropriate happened and that everything was fine.

When asked for comment on Thursday’s announcement, Jackson spokeswoman Kate Lair said it was prompted by a “baseless complaint” that did not produce any new information.

“Once again, Congressman Jackson has nothing to hide and he and his team have been fully compliant with the Ethics Committee from the beginning,” Lair said in a written statement. “Unfortunately, this is not the first time that those on the left (at the Office of Congressional Ethics) have decided to waste taxpayer dollars prosecuting public officials for absolutely nothing.”

Jackson served as the top White House physician under President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump.

He retired as a one-star rear admiral in 2019 and was demoted to captain in 2022 after an investigation into his conduct as a White House physician, the newspaper said Washington Post.

Jackson has previously denied reports that he was abusive toward subordinates and otherwise behaved inappropriately during his time as a White House physician. Jackson said these allegations were politically motivated.