Ethics panel says New York's Rep. Gregory Meeks failed to report loan

Washington – The House Ethics Committee has found that Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY, failed to disclose a loan on his financial disclosure reports. But the panel says there's no credible evidence that the errors were knowing or willful.

The committee declined Thursday to take any action against the eight-term Democrat, noting that he corrected the errors and omissions.

Meeks was obligated to report the loan from a Queens real estate broker, Edul Ahmad, on his 2007, 2008 and 2009 disclosure statements. He amended the reports in June 2010.

The committee also said the evidence did not establish that the Ahmad loan was an impermissible gift.

Meeks has contended the loan terms were in writing but has been unable to produce the loan document, saying he misplaced it.