House Ethics panel opens probe into Corrine Brown

The House Ethics Committee has voted to formally investigate Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.), but will hold off on its probe at the request of the Justice Department. 

In a Wednesday statement, the Ethics panel said it had voted to create an investigative subcommittee regarding allegations that Brown improperly solicited charitable donations, used campaign funds for personal use and utilized official resources for purposes prohibited under House rules.

{mosads}Brown was served with a federal subpoena in January and is under investigation by the FBI for her role with a nonprofit based in Jacksonville, Fla., according to local media reports.

The nonprofit, Community Rehabilitation Center Inc., offers assistance for low-income individuals with drug problems, mental illnesses and HIV/AIDS.

The subcommittee would be chaired by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.), with Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) as the ranking Democrat.

The House Ethics Committee typically defers to the Justice Department if lawmakers are already under federal investigation.