‘Appearance’ Isn’t Enough for Ethics Panel in Graves Case

• By Paul Singer
• Roll Call Staff
• Oct. 30, 2009, 11:09 a.m.

Although one body of Congressional overseers found the appearance of a conflict of interest, the House ethics committee on Thursday dismissed an ethics complaint against Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) because his action — inviting a business associate of his wife to testify before the Small Business Committee — did not violate any specific House rules.