House Ethics Committee to investigate U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes

The House of Representatives Committee on Ethics announced Friday it would be looking into Congressman Silvestre Reyes.

Reyes, who took office in 1997, will no longer serve El Paso following this year’s Democratic primary election loss to Beto O’Rourke.

According to a release from the Ethics Committee, “The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics have jointly decidedto extend the matter regarding Representative Silvestre Reyes.”

The Committee on Ethics states the extension “does not itself indicatethat any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.”

The inquiry began on Aug. 30, according to the release. The committee will decide their course of action no later than Nov. 28.

Reyes was highlighted among other congressmen in a 346-page report earlier this year.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, also known as CREW, questioned Reyes’ practice of hiring family members and paying them with election money.

The Committee on Ethics has not said if the investigation is linked to the report.

ABC-7 is reaching out to Reyes’ camp on the inquiry. Check back for updates.