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   From: nobody@yamn.paranoici.org   
      
   Marie Newman acknowledged in court she promised a six-figure job to   
   potential political rival   
      
   The House Ethics Committee is investigating Democrat Marie Newman   
   after the Illinois congresswoman admitted in court that she promised   
   a six-figure job to a potential political rival.   
      
   The committee announced the investigation in a Thursday afternoon   
   press release, which comes roughly six months after Newman settled a   
   breach of contract lawsuit with local Palestinian activist Iymen   
   Chehade. During the case, Newman's taxpayer-funded attorneys   
   conceded to a federal judge that the Democrat signed an employment   
   agreement that assured Chehade a top job in her office should she   
   win election to Congress, legal filings show. Chehade's attorneys   
   argued that Newman extended the offer as a bribe to keep the   
   activist out of a 2020 primary race.   
      
   "Chehade foreseeably relied on this promise by refraining from   
   running for office, and he then lost the opportunity … to serve in a   
   congressional position in her office," his attorneys said. Newman's   
   contract promised Chehade a senior role in the Democrat's office   
   that did not require him to "maintain specific hours at the office,"   
   paid him a $140,000 salary, and gave him "complete discretion about   
   the selection and employment termination of staff members under his   
   supervision."   
      
   Newman's office acknowledged the investigation in a statement,   
   noting that the committee's inquiry stems from a "dismissed   
   lawsuit." But that lawsuit was dismissed "by agreement" following   
   Newman's settlement with Chehade, the Democrat's office confirmed in   
   July. At that time, Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust   
   executive director Kendra Arnold told the Washington Free Beacon   
   that congressional investigators could use facts from the civil case   
   against Newman.   
      
   "Civil liability and government ethics and criminal liability are   
   two completely separate things. The civil court case is between her   
   and the individual," said Arnold, who in May Filed A Complaint   
   against Newman with the Office of Congressional Ethics. "Whether   
   they resolve their personal differences has nothing to do with the   
   ethics case and her issues with the federal government. The facts in   
   the civil case show the ethics concerns are significant."   
      
   Newman's office said it "is happy to help throughout" the   
   investigation process.   
      
   "We look forward to resolving the matter," a spokesperson for Newman   
   told CQ Roll Call.   
      
      
   https://freebeacon.com/democrats/illinois-dem-under-investigation-   
   for-bribing-prospective-primary-opponent/   
      
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