It is unclear whether an apparent agreement between U.S. House Democratic and GOP leadership over ethics investigations will speed up a report involving Congressman Bill Shuster prior to the Tuesday, April 27, primary election.
Following media scrutiny, Shuster called for a clarification as to whether he violated any House rules after charges were made that he (Shuster) and his then chief of staff, Alex Mistri, ordered the “tailing” of his opponent in the GOP primary, Michael DelGrosso.
It is also unclear whether the “spying” incident will have any negative impact for Shuster at the primary. DelGrosso has touted a poll showing a dead heat and even staunch past Shuster supporters are worried.
State Representative Rick Geist, Blair County, told The Daily News last week he expected DelGrosso to “take the city” (Altoona).
Shuster promised in November, at a hastily called news conference, that he wanted a meeting with the chairman of the ethics committee and ranking members over the “Josh Juda” incident.
In early fall, Juda, then a Shuster staffer, was observed by neighbors lurking in Michael DelGrosso’s neighborhood near Tipton. DelGrosso announced last summer he was challenging the incumbent for his 9th District U.S. House seat.
Later, Juda went public and claimed Shuster and others on the Congressman’s staff ordered him (Juda) to do the spying. Shuster denied the charge at the news conference in Breezewood.
At that time, the congressman promised to make public anything released by the House committee.
However, it appears that Shuster to date has not met with any of the top leadership on the House ethics committee.
Shuster’s press secretary Christy Farmer would only tell The Daily News “there is still correspondence going on,” but would not elaborate.
“He (Shuster) is cooperating with them (ethics committee),” said Farmer. “Officially there is no news.”
Farmer also released a statement from the congressman concerning the investigation, “While I do not oversee or dictate the ethics committee process, I do believe it has been thorough and direct in its review of my office.”
Juda did not return a call from The Daily News as to whether he has or has not been contacted or spoken with the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
At first Mistri denied that any spying had taken place, but later Shuster admitted it had, but not on his orders. The congressman characterized Juda as an aggressive staffer. Later, Juda quit working for Shuster because of the congressman’s actions.
Just last week some eight organizations charged that the House ethics system is virtually shut down because public interest groups are barred from filing complaints.
