CONGRESS Ohio Dem leader seeks removal of Republicans from ethics probe

Rep. Steven LaTourette says he's 'offended and insulted' by the request.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
The Ohio Democratic Party chairman is calling for U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette and other Republicans to remove themselves from the ethics investigation of the U.S. House majority leader and have an independent counsel handle the complaint.
Chairman Dennis White wants the Republicans removed because four of the five who sit on the House ethics committee, including LaTourette, received more than $81,000 in campaign contributions from Majority Leader Tom DeLay's political action committee.
"If you take money from the accused, you can't serve on the jury," White said.
LaTourette, of Concord Township, R-14th, received $16,073 from the DeLay PAC, but before the ethics complaint was filed. The DeLay complaint, filed by a Texas Democratic House member, accuses the PAC of laundering illegal corporate contributions.
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LaTourette said an independent counsel isn't needed.
"I'm offended and insulted by the attack on my credibility, and don't believe an independent counsel is needed," he said. "I've had to make many tough decisions during my career ... and have demonstrated that I am fair and impartial."
In response, Mike Cook, campaign spokesman for Capri Cafaro, the Hunting Valley Democrat facing LaTourette in the November election, said: "I think the people of Northeast Ohio should be offended and insulted that their congressman doesn't have the common sense to remove himself from this matter."
White joined the chairman of heads of Democratic parties in the four other states in which a Republican serves on the House ethics committee urging the appointment of independent counsel.
skolnick@vindy.com