News and Views

CONGRESSMAN JERRY LEWIS STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO LOS ANGELES TIMES ALLEGATIONS

            WASHINGTON – Congressman Jerry Lewis issued the following statement on Los Angeles Times allegations of a Justice Department investigation:

In my 40 years of public service, I have insisted on the highest standards of integrity for myself and my staff. This is true of all my endeavors, including the wise expenditure of federal dollars on projects in my district. My guiding principles have always been to serve my constituents and ensure taxpayers get the best return for their investment.

 Mr. Cunningham broke the law in the most egregious way possible for an elected official. He admitted to taking bribes in exchange for getting special treatment for those who bribed him. He betrayed his oath of office, his constituents, and his fellow members of Congress. I have never been as angry toward anyone in my entire career. Mr. Cunningham was never a close friend, but he was a colleague I trusted to serve the interests of his country. I am grateful that our system worked, and he was caught and is now paying the price for those crimes.

Neither I nor any of my staff has been contacted by the Department of Justice with regard to an investigation into my Congressional service.  

            I am angered and frustrated by anonymous sources, either inside or out of the Justice Department, who would imply to journalists that an investigation has been launched when no suggestion has been made that an investigation is needed. I am disappointed by journalists who would write stories based on rumors and hearsay.  It is unprofessional and perhaps unethical for these sources to discuss an investigation with the press before informing the individuals supposedly being investigated. 

            I have never, under any circumstances, told or suggested to someone seeking federal dollars for a project that they would receive favorable treatment by making campaign donations. If I learned that anyone on my staff made such a suggestion, they would no longer be working for me. 

            I have never told a local representative or someone seeking to work on a federal project that they must have a lobbyist representing them. It is an ironclad rule in my office that we do not recommend lobbyists, even if a constituent asks for that recommendation. 

 My staff and I insist on meeting with the local representatives directly when considering a request for federal funds, and weigh each project on its merits. We never consider who the Washington representative is when reviewing project requests. I welcome a thorough review of these projects by anyone. 

The standards of integrity I have followed in my career are a direct repudiation of the kind of behavior displayed by Mr. Cunningham. I am proud of my service to my country, my constituents, and to Congress.

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