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Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) Earns Dishonorable Mention in CREW’s Annual Most Corrupt Report

Washington, D.C. – It’s all in the family for Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), who blatantly disregarded any sense of ethics when she used her position to award Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) scholarships to family members and the children of close associates. When caught red handed, her excuses were laughable. It’s no wonder she’s earned herself a dishonorable mention from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) in its annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress report.  Click here to read the full report on Rep. Johnson.

“Rep. Johnson shamelessly funneled funds to family members and business connections – money that should have gone to young people in her district who truly deserved help covering the costs of higher education,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. “Amazingly, after the Dallas Morning News first reported this story, rather than admitting wrongdoing Rep. Johnson insulted her constituents, claiming that there weren’t any qualified applicants in her district.  Of course, she hadn’t bothered to publicize the scholarships in the first place.”

Between 2005 and 2009, Rep. Johnson awarded 24 out of 59 of her CBCF scholarships to seven people close to her – including her grandchildren, grandnephews, and two children of close associates. Most of the recipients did not live or attend school in her district, a requirement of the scholarships.

Ms. Sloan stated, “There is little more disgraceful than diverting scholarships meant for needy kids to family members.  Clearly this is conduct that does not reflect creditably upon the House and it is more than enough to earn Rep. Johnson a dishonorable mention on CREW’s Most Corrupt.” 

This is the 7^th edition of the CREW’S Most Corrupt Report, an annual look at a bipartisan collection of Washington’s worst.  This year’s list includes seven Democrats, and 12 Republicans.  Five are repeat offenders.  Since 2005, CREW has named 70 members of Congress to the list, 32 of whom are no longer in office.