The Democrat-controlled House Ethics Committee said in a statement Friday that an investigation has concluded that there is “substantial evidence” that Delegate Michael F.Q. San Nicolas of Guam, a non-voting member of the House of Representatives, committed campaign finance-related crimes and that it has referred the matter to the Department of Justice.
“At the completion of its investigation, the ISC unanimously concluded that there was substantial evidence that Delegate San Nicolas: accepted improper excessive campaign contributions; engaged in a conspiracy to hide the proceeds of the illicit campaign contributions; knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; and attempted to improperly influence a witness in connection with this Committee’s investigation,” the Committee said in a statement. “In light of the Delegate’s impending retirement from the House and the potential for expiration of applicable statutes of limitations, the ISC recommended that the Committee refer these allegations to the Department of Justice.”
“The Committee on Ethics has unanimously voted to adopt the ISC’s report, and with it, refer the substantial evidence of potential violations of federal criminal law to the Department of Justice for such further action as it deems appropriate,” the statement continued.
The Committee, under Republican leadership in 2019, launched an investigation into San Nicolas in 2019 over allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a congressional staff member.
“The Committee is aware of public allegations that Delegate Michael F. Q. San Nicolas may have engaged in a sexual relationship with an individual on his congressional staff, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted improper or excessive campaign contributions,” the committee said in a statement at the time. “The Committee, pursuant to Committee Rule 18(a), has begun an investigation and will gather additional information regarding the allegations.”
John Paul Manuel – the former chief of staff and senior aide campaign official for San Nicolas – accused him in September of “using funds raised for his congressional campaign as reimbursements for an alleged foreign trip and hotel stays with his alleged mistress,” according to The Guam Daily Post.
Manuel also alleged that his former boss hired his alleged mistress to be part of his congressional staff.
Manuel also accused San Nicolas of forgery, saying: “He forged his father’s signature on all checks. He said he did so that if he was ever caught, it would be his father that got in trouble – not himself.”
This report has been updated to include additional information.