WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A House of Representatives ethics watchdog has asked a congressional committee to look into campaign fundraising by three lawmakers for possible links to their votes on financial reform, aides confirmed on Tuesday.
The Office of Congressional Ethics, a nonpartisan entity set up to review allegations of misconduct, recommended the official committee scrutiny after its own preliminary review found substantial reason to believe a violation had occurred.
Officials with the Office of Congressional Ethics declined to comment on letters sent on Monday to Republicans Tom Price of Georgia and John Campbell of California and Democrat Joe Crowley of New York, notifying them that their cases were being forwarded to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
Committee officials were not immediately available for comment.
The office also dismissed related cases against five other lawmakers -- three Republicans and two Democrats -- according to aides. An aide to one of the five, Republican Jeb Hensarling of Texas, called the decision a "complete vindication."
The three lawmakers who now face possible action by the House ethics committee issued statements denying any wrongdoing and expressing confusion about the cases.
"I am perplexed by OCE's decision, as they have presented no evidence that would suggest wrongdoing," Campbell said.
Price questioned the motive behind the office's action, calling the recommendation a "mystery" based on "no evidence of any wrongdoing."
A Crowley aide said the New York congressman has always complied with "the letter and spirit" of rules on fundraising and conduct.
The Office of Congressional Ethics launched a preliminary probe of eight lawmakers from the House Financial Services and tax-writing Ways and Means committees in May to determine whether their votes on financial reform came in exchange for campaign contributions.
The House approved its version of financial reform in a 223-202 vote in December.
Of the eight lawmakers, the three Democrats, including Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota and Mel Watt of North Carolina, supported the measure.
The five Republicans, including Fred Lucas of Oklahoma and Chris Lee of New York, voted against it.
(Reporting by David Morgan; editing by Mohammad Zargham)
