The House Ethics Committee is investigating Texas GOP Rep. Troy Nehls for allegedly misusing $25,000 in campaign funds for personal use before and during his first term in Congress. The investigation began on March 26 and has since been extended, although no public statements have been made on its progress. The committee emphasized that the review does not indicate any violation has occurred or reflect any judgment from the Committee. An Office of Congressional Ethics report from December outlined the allegations against Nehls, stating that he and several staffers refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Nehls has cited his refusal to cooperate with the Office of Congressional Ethics due to its creation under Nancy Pelosi. Instead, he stated that he is cooperating with the legitimate House Committee on Ethics, claiming that his books remain open. Nehls, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, made headlines when he nominated Trump to lead the Republican conference during the House speakership fight. He also made a statement during President Biden’s State of the Union address by wearing a bold bowtie with a T-shirt featuring Trump’s mugshot.
The investigation revealed that Nehls’ campaign committee did not make any rent payments to its listed location of “Freedom Hall” in Richmond, Texas, which is now an Islamic center and boarding school. Instead, over $25,000 in rent payments were made to Liberty 1776, LLC, a company solely owned by Nehls. The congressman did not disclose his ownership of the company in his financial disclosures for 2021 and 2022, only amending them after the completion of the OCE probe. The report also found payments to other limited liability companies without establishing ownership ties.
The OCE report highlighted the significance of Nehls’ refusal to cooperate with the investigation, especially since those who declined to cooperate were closely associated with him. By not working with the OCE, which is an independent body responsible for reviewing allegations of misconduct, Nehls was seen as undermining the transparency and integrity of the investigation. Despite the ongoing investigation, Nehls is running for a third term in November to represent Texas’ 22nd Congressional District after serving as the sheriff of Fort Bend County from 2013 to 2021. The Ethics Committee continues to investigate the allegations against Nehls, keeping a close eye on his financial practices with campaign funds.
