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House Panel Taps Outside Lawyer To Lead Waters Ethics Probe

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — One day after demanding a congressional panel to drop an investigation into her financial dealings, Congresswoman Maxine Waters could face trial after an outside counsel was appointed to her case on Wednesday.

The House Ethics Committee assigned Washington attorney Billy Martin to investigate Waters (D-Los Angeles) after months of criticism over the panel's handling of the case.

Waters, a senior member of the Financial Services committee, is accused of trying to obtain federal bailout money for a bank where husband was an investor.

She denies any wrongdoing, and on Tuesday called for the charges against her to be dropped.

The Ethics Committee said in a statement that its members consider the allegations to be serious and will further pursue the investigation.

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