Jim Moran Cleared by Office of Congressional Ethics

Vindication for Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th)?

The Office of Congressional Ethics has closed its investigation into Reps. John Murtha (D-Pa.), Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.) and their relationships to the lobbying firm PMA Group, and the OCE advised against a formal House ethics investigation, the lawmakers’ offices said Friday.

George Behan, Dicks’ chief of staff, said the OCE, which reviews potential rules violations and refers investigations to the House ethics committee, informed the Washington lawmaker on Dec. 2 that it had recommended the inquiry be dismissed.

“In his case, there was never anything there,” Behan said.

Jim Moran's gotta be a happy man today!

UPDATE: Jim Moran has issued a statement.

I appreciate the panel’s thorough investigation and carefully considered and unanimous decision to dismiss what were from the outset, baseless charges. If the vindication and dismissal of the matter gets one tenth of the visibility that the allegation assumed, I’ll be pleased.