We have an ethics epidemic

Yet another member of the black caucus is having problems with the House of Representatives Ethics Committee. I suspect racism. Read it all here.

The House ethics panel said Thursday that it is investigating Rep. Maxine Waters, a California Democrat who came under scrutiny for allegedly helping a bank with which she had ties secure a meeting with Treasury Department officials about obtaining bailout funds.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that Ms. Waters allegedly helped OneUnited Bank of Boston get a meeting with Treasury officials to negotiate a $12 million bailout. On Thursday, the ethics panel acknowledged for the first time that it is investigating her.

Sidney Williams, Ms. Waters's husband, was on the bank's board of directors until last year.

The congresswoman's 2008 disclosure report filed in May showed that Mr. Williams had at least $350,000 in investments in the bank. Ms. Waters serves on the financial-services committee that oversees financial institutions.