Rep. Pittenger requests ethics investigation

Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) on Thursday asked the House Ethics Committee to open an investigation into his role with his former real estate company in an attempt to clear his name.

The FBI and IRS are reportedly probing whether Pittenger improperly transferred funds from his former company, Pittenger Land Investments, to his 2012 House campaign. Pittenger said in a statement that he wants the Ethics panel to conduct a full vetting to confirm he “always acted properly.”

{mosads}”Regrettably, recent media reports have not conveyed accurate information regarding our activities. Out of respect for my constituents, and love for my family, I am requesting a full investigation by the Ethics Committee to confirm my compliance with House rules,” Pittenger said in a statement.

The House Ethics Committee declined to comment. But as general practice, the committee typically does not open a probe while federal investigators are already reviewing a lawmaker’s activities.

Pittenger founded the real estate company nearly 30 years ago, but later transferred ownership to his wife Suzanne. House Ethics rules prohibit lawmakers from maintaining jobs that involve fiduciary relationships, like law or accounting, that manage others’ assets while still in office.