Waters Accuses Ethics Of Having Weak Case After Postponing Her Trial

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) accused the ethics committee of having a weak case that is unraveling after the panel abruptly canceled her upcoming public trial.

“The committee’s decision to cancel the hearing and put it off indefinitely demonstrates that the committee does not have a strong case and would not be able to prove any violation has occurred,” she said in a lengthy statement reacting to Friday’s announcement.

The House ethics committee announced Friday it has delayed indefinitely Waters's trial because the panel had discovered new evidence in the case.

It is unclear from the committee's statement whether the trial will move forward and what evidence was discovered.

According to a joint statement from committee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and ranking member Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), the case is being referred back to the subcommittee investigating the matter. Waters's trial was set to begin on Nov. 29.

"The committee voted to recommit the matter regarding Representative Maxine Waters to the investigative subcommittee due to materials discovered that may have had an effect on the investigative subcommittee's transmittal to the committee," they wrote. "As a result, the adjudicatory subcommittee no longer has jurisdiction over this matter and the adjudicatory hearing previously scheduled for November 29, 2010 will not be held."          More here