A Texas congresswoman admitted that she wrongly steered thousands of dollars in college scholarships from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to her own relatives and children of a staff member but said she did so unwittingly.
Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson told The Dallas Morning News that she arranged the scholarships over the last four years for two grandsons and two grandnephews and the son and daughter of a Dallas-based aide.
Johnson told the Morning News she “unknowingly” violated the foundation’s rules and would “rectify the financial situation.” The Morning News reported her comments on its website Sunday.
Relatives of members of Congress are ineligible to receive scholarship funds from the foundation because of anti-nepotism rules. The scholarships also violate a foundation rule that recipients need to live or study in the district represented by the Black Caucus member who awards the scholarship.
Dena Craig, a spokeswoman for Johnson, did not respond to several requests for comment from The Associated Press.
The Black Caucus Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed by black lawmakers, receives millions of dollars in private corporate sponsorships. The group is best-known for organizing an annual legislative conference in Washington that draws thousands of black leaders around the country. It also runs various programs aimed at getting African-American youths involved in government and politics.
The foundation provides $10,000 a year for members of the Congressional Black Caucus to dispense in scholarships. Members can decide how the money is split and how it is awarded, although the foundation sets some basic rules.
Muriel Cooper, a spokeswoman for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, did not respond to an AP request for comment.
Johnson’s actions could lead to a House ethics investigation. The key question would be whether she used official resources, including congressional staff, in any aspect of the scholarship program.
An investigation also could look at whether she violated the federal government’s Code of Ethics, which says government officials cannot discriminate unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges to anyone.
The code says officials cannot accept, for themselves or their families, favors or benefits under circumstances that might be construed as influencing performance of official duties.
Johnson, 74, is seeking her 10th term in Congress and represents a Dallas-area district.
She was not expected to face a difficult re-election campaign. Her GOP opponent, Stephen Broden, a pastor, said in a radio interview on Monday that he planned to make the scholarship money an issue.
“We really need a change that emphasizes the needs of the district over self-interest and self-aggrandizement,” Broden said on “The Mark Davis Show,” a Dallas-area radio program.
Henry C. Jackson, AP
