South Jersey’s Rob Andrews listed among ‘most corrupt’ in Congress

A Washington-based watchdog group has named U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews of South Jersey to its annual list of the most corrupt members of Congress.

Melanie Sloan, executive director of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said Andrews earned the dishonor by using tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds for personal expenses,”including a family trip to Scotland. He brought one of his daughters to Los Angeles numerous times for trips that coincided with her budding show business career.”

Andrews’ chief of staff Fran Tagmire wrote in a prepared statement that the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics allegations against him are “completely false,” and that all of Andrews’ campaign expenses are “fully proper and completely disclosed.”

When the House Ethics Committee looked into those allegations, Democrat Andrews argued that the trips and an expensive party also under scrutiny included activities that had political benefit, making them acceptable uses of campaign funds.

The committee found two weeks ago there was “substantial reason” to believe Andrews had broken campaign finance laws, but decided it would take more time to review the charges.

This is Andrews’ first appearance on CREW’s list of the most corrupt members of Congress..