Congressman John Campbell still under ethics investigation

The House ethics committee says it will continue its investigation of a congressman from Orange County. The probe involves a pair of fundraisers held before a key vote on financial reform.

The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is investigating whether Republican Rep. John Campbell of Irvine violated ethics rules that warn lawmakers to avoid “even the appearance” that political fundraising is linked to votes.

In a statement on its website, the committee says it will “extend the matter” until the end of January.

Campbell serves on the House Financial Services Committee, which wrote the fiscal overhaul bill. In a written statement, Campbell says he’s cooperated with requests for information from the committee and looks forward to “a favorable resolution” of the matter.

In another ethics development, the committee’s chief counsel has resigned. He headed up the ethics investigation of LA Democrat Rep. Maxine Waters. She’s accused of using her political influence to help a bank in which her husband owned stock. Two other attorneys on the case have been suspended.