Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D., Texas), a long-serving congresswoman from Dallas, improperly awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, violating nepotism and ethics rules by giving the funds to multiple relatives and the children of top aide Rod Givens.

Johnson also violated a rule that required scholarship winners to live or attend school in the awarding member’s district.

After initial denials, Johnson has admitted in a statement that she “unknowingly” violated rules and compensate the foundation for the scholarships. From the Dallas Morning News:

Johnson awarded nine to 11 scholarships a year from 2005 to 2008, the most recent years for which information was available. Each of those years, three or four winners were related to her or her district director, Rod Givens. Johnson said she divided the available funds equally among recipients, and every qualified applicant got a scholarship.

[. . .]

Initially, she said, “I recognized the names when I saw them. And I knew that they had a need just like any other kid that would apply for one.” Had there been more “very worthy applicants in my district,” she added, “then I probably wouldn’t have given it” to the relatives.

Foundation general counsel Amy Goldson said Johnson’s violations were “of great concern” and represent “a violation of the letter and spirit of [the Foundation's] requirements.”

Much more here.