Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) is a seventh-term member of Congress, representing the 4th district of Washington. His ethics issues stem from his improper contact with a Washington U.S. Attorney.

Improper Contact with U.S. Attorney

Former U.S. Attorney John McKay testified before the United States Senate that, in 2004, during a series of vote recounts in which a Democrat was narrowly elected governor of Washington, Rep. Hasting’s then-Chief of Staff Ed Cassidy called, informing him that “the purpose of the call was to inquire on behalf of Congressman Hastings” about the status of any ongoing investigation into voter fraud. Mr. McKay was “concerned and dismayed by the call,” believing the conversation might constitute obstruction of justice. Rep. Hastings has claimed that Mr. Cassidy’s call to Mr. McKay was “entirely appropriate,” and that the call was “a simple inquiry and nothing more.”

By having a staff member contact Mr. McKay to discuss an ongoing investigative matter for the impermissible political purpose of harming Democrats in the November elections, Rep. Hastings engaged in conduct does not reflect creditably on the House.

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