(Washington, D.C.) – The House Ethics Committee has determined that outgoing 5th District Representative Tom Garrett and his wife, Flanna, violated House rules by using staff members to run personal errands from buying cigarettes to walking the dog.
In a 47-page report released Wednesday night the committee also said that Garrett delayed the investigation in an attempt to avoid any disciplinary action.
Two witnesses told investigators that Garrett asked about buying marijuana and had used the drug with staffers.
Wednesday was Garrett’s last day in office and he is not bound by House regulations or obligated to repay the federal government for violating House rules.
In response, Garrett continued to maintain his innocence and said the committee’s findings were based on “half-truths and whole lies” generated by disgruntled former staff members.
The one-term Congressman declined to seek re-election in May, citing his dependency on alcohol.