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Democrats Quit House Ethics Probe Of LA Congresswoman Waters

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The congressional panel tasked with investigating a Southland lawmaker for alleged ethics violations suffered a setback on Friday after over half of its members stepped down.

Six of the 10 members of the House Ethics Committee said they would no longer participate in the investigation of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-LA) in what they said was an effort to erase any appearance of bias or partiality.

"They just did this as they put it in a letter to the Speaker 'out of an abundance of caution' and 'to even avoid an appearance of unfairness'," Associated Press correspondent Jerry Bodlander told KNX 1070.

An outside counsel had been tapped to investigate possible allegations of bias, but the attorney reportedly found no improprieties were committed, according to Bodlander.

House Speaker John Boehner has already replaced the five Republicans and one Democrat who stepped down and the new panel will get to work next week.

Waters is under investigation for allegedly trying to obtain federal aid for a minority-owned bank where her husband is an investor. She has denied any wrongdoing.

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