House committee won't release independent counsel's finding in Waters probe

Oct. 28, 2009: Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill. A House investigative panel has charged her with violating ethics rules. (AP)

The House Ethics Committee said Friday it will not release documents related to the re-started investigation of Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters but said it might make public the records when the probe is concluded.

The committee statement was in response to a request Thursday by 69 House members who wanted to know in part about the findings of an independent counsel that allows the investigation to continue.

Waters, R-Calif. and a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, is being investigated for her negotiations with a bank to which her husband has a financial connection.

The committee announced Wednesday that the investigation would continue.

The investigation was halted when some of the committee members allegedly disclosed information. The independent lawyer concluded information had been disclosed but Waters’ rights to due process had not been violated.

Waters has said she was treated unfairly.

Committee leaders when announcing the investigation would go forward said Waters had been treated fairly

They also said the 10-member committee could not violate confidentiality rules by releasing the documents and that members and staffers involved in the start of the investigation “have recused themselves from any further consideration of the matter.”