Ethics Office Investigating Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas

NewsOn6.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Washington Post is reporting the Office of Congressional Ethics is investigating eight members of the U.S. Congress, including one from Oklahoma, who held fundraisers close to a House vote on a Wall Street reform bill or received substantial donations from business people with a financial stake in the bill.

Oklahoma's Third District Congressman Frank Lucas (R) is on the list.

The Post says the probe is focused on whether the timing of accepting the campaign checks created an unacceptable appearance of a conflict.

According to his web site, Lucas serves as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. In addition, he serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Science and Technology.

Lucas' third district includes 32 counties in northern and western Oklahoma including Creek, Osage and Pawnee counties.

The House ethics manual instructs members to steer away from accepting campaign donations if the timing creates an unacceptable appearance of a conflict of interest.