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Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. speaks during a primary election night party at the new Nevada Democratic Party Field Office in Henderson on Tuesday, June 12, 2012.
By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Published Tuesday, July 10, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, July 10, 2012 | 9:04 a.m.
Berkley ethics probe
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Congress announced an ethics probe into Las Vegas Congresswoman Shelley Berkley on Monday. Some say Berkley's husband, a UMC kidney doctor, allegedly benefited from Berkley's support of kidney programs at UMC.
Sun coverage
- House Ethics Committee to launch full investigation into allegations against Berkley (07-09-2012)
- Berkley could learn fate of ethics probe Monday (07-08-2012)
- Berkley addresses ethics probe (06-09-2012)
- House committee conducting ethics probe of Rep. Shelley Berkley (03-23-2012)
- More Sun political news
Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley was always going to have to face some tough music on the Senate campaign trail over allegations she used her seat in Congress to push for policies and programs that benefited her family’s bottom line.
But the inquiry that stood at least a chance of being dismissed as a political witch hunt now ranks among the most serious investigations of alleged ethical offenses taking place this Congress.
The House Committee on Ethics voted unanimously Monday to appoint an investigative subcommittee, armed with full subpoena power, to determine whether Berkley violated the House’s Code of Official Conduct over matters “in which (her) husband had a financial interest.”
In 2008, Berkley joined with other members of the Nevada House delegation, including her current Senate opponent, Dean Heller, to press federal officials not to shutter the kidney center at University Medical Center in Las Vegas, which would have sent Southern Nevadans in need of transplants looking out of state for treatment. In that same year, Berkley sent a letter on her own to Rep. Pete Stark, who chaired the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over Medicare, urging him to oppose lowering Medicare reimbursement rates for dialysis.
Those are legitimate actions for the average, disinterested representative. But Berkley’s husband, Dr. Larry Lehrner, is a kidney doctor with a large practice, millions of assets in dialysis units and a contract — through his group medical practice — with UMC to provide the full range of kidney care.
Berkley has maintained, since her actions were first detailed in a New York Times investigation last year, that her advocacy for federal spending on kidney care — whether through the letters she wrote or the eight pieces of legislation she introduced on the subject — was done purely out of concern for her constituents.
“I couldn’t have lived with myself if I had stepped back and that program would have closed,” she said Monday in a Capitol hallway after the ethics committee released its decision. “I mean, there were 200 people waiting in line for a kidney transplant. What would you tell them? That you can’t, you won’t, you shouldn’t? That was my job.”
She’s confident the House investigators will come to the same conclusion.
“Once this is complete,” Berkley added, “there’s not going to be a question in anybody’s mind that my only concern was for the health and well-being of the people I represent.”
But ask her if she wants the committee to hurry up and finish their investigation before her election in November, and she’s not so sure.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Given the usual pace of investigations, it’s extremely unlikely Berkley’s ethics probe will conclude before Nevada voters go to the polls in November. And that means the investigation will continue to be a sword wielded by her opponents in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate contests.
“Any such decision is going to follow the election, not come before,” said Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for the Project on Government Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog organization in Washington, D.C.
“Yes, you can expect Berkley’s opponent to harp on the fact that the ethics committee is conducting an investigation, and it’s very likely that the issue’s going to be brought up repeatedly through the course of the election,” Holman continued. “[But] as a standard rule, the ethics committee does not announce or come out with any conclusions right before the election. ... They don’t want to allow the ethics process to be used for electioneering purposes.”
That harping began even before the committee reached its decision to pursue the investigation, with television ads aired by conservative groups supporting Heller.
The decision spurred renewed interest in the line of attack. Minutes after the ethics committee announced its decision, the National Republican Senatorial Committee leapt into the fray with the following statement:
“It speaks volumes that even Shelley Berkley’s Democrat colleagues unanimously voted to move forward investigating Berkley’s use of her office to enrich her and her husband,” Executive Director Rob Jesmer said. “Since Berkley entered the political arena, we’ve seen a long pattern of ethical questions surrounding her conduct. Nevadans deserve someone in the Senate who they can trust to work on their behalf and not someone — like Ms. Berkley — who puts her own financial and political interests first.”
So far, Berkley’s been locked into what has been the tightest Senate race in the country — a race that will help determine whether Democrats keep control of the Senate.
Even with her political opponents attacking Berkley on ethics allegations, she and Heller have been polling neck-and-neck in their race to be the first Nevadan elected to replace former Sen. John Ensign. Heller was appointed to fill the seat in 2011 after Ensign resigned amid an ongoing Senate ethics investigation into his efforts to cover up an extra-marital affair.
Few ethics experts — even those practiced at observing Nevada’s ethics imbroglios — expected to see the congresswoman dragged into a similarly serious level investigation as her predecessor.
“I am a bit surprised that they did the investigative subcommittee,” said Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which put Berkley on a list of “dishonorable mentions” last year.
That move prompted the Nevada Republican Party to make a formal petition to the Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate Berkley’s actions.
“I think, in the scheme of things, members seem to have done far worse stuff,” Sloan said. “There just seems to be lots of stuff that they could go after — so why would this be the only thing?”
Only one other case processed by the Office of Congressional Ethics in the past three years has resulted in the formation of an investigative subcommittee. That case involves allegations that Rep. Maxine Waters used her influence on the House Financial Services committee to advocate for favorable treatment of a bank in which her husband had a $350,000 financial interest.
“They’re both women legislators accused of trying to help businesses owned by their husbands,” said Robert Stern, a visiting public policy professor at U.C. Berkeley. “In the past, male legislators did not have wives who were involved in businesses. ... It’ll be real interesting how these turn out.”
Others worry that the ethics committee’s decision establishes a new standard for ethical inquiries, potentially opening the door to broader scrutiny of congressional spouses.
“This potential expansion of what a conflict is could cause other members larger problems,” Sloan said. “It’s all precedential. If you find this is a conflict (with the Code of Conduct) it well could be that other members who have earmarks for universities where their spouses are employed are in conflict. I’m not really sure why that should be a big difference. And that is not unusual.”
But for Berkley, the greater ethical legacy of her case isn’t her immediate concern. More pressing is how the probe will affect her Senate campaign.
“It’s certainly not good news, and with a unanimous vote, it becomes even worse news,” said Eric Herzik, professor of political science at UNR. “Heller doesn’t even have to do anything ... so this is a pretty severe blow. She was going to have damage control to do anyway; now the damage is even worse.”
“Obviously, she wanted it dismissed, and that’s not going to happen,” said David Damore, political science professor at UNLV. “I think the worst would have been if there were any smoking gun in the paperwork and that got put out today. ... This allows her to spin her story.”
For now, that is just what Berkley is doing. She appeared calm and poised as she took questions from the press Monday and remarked that she hadn’t had any conversations with the ethics committee prior to them releasing their decision — meaning she had no influence over the committee’s decision to carry on with an investigation instead of dismissing the allegations or offering some intermediary form of censure.
But, in fact, questions may linger for quite a while — maybe forever.
Absent pursuit of truth, there is little incentive for the ethics committee to conclude its investigation before the election, and even less time. The investigative subcommittee is made up of members of Congress who, thanks to scheduled recesses and conventions, will only be in Washington for a handful of weeks between now and November.
After the election there is always the chance they could resume her case during the busy lame-duck session. But there are few compelling reasons to do that. Win or lose the Senate race, after Nov. 6, Berkley will be on her way out of the House.
If the committee allows the case to terminate with Berkley’s tenure in the House, the only paperwork that will be released to the public will be the Office of Congressional Ethics’ initial report from February. The committee declined to release it Monday; they are allowed under House rules to keep its contents a secret while they investigate for up to one year.
So while ethics investigators quietly go about their work, it’s now up to the normally outspoken Berkley to do her best to win over voter sympathy. And she’s already started to build the case.
“I introduced 114 pieces of health legislation, everything from osteoporosis to cancer. Eight of the 114 pieces of legislation that I introduced were kidney related,” she said. “It deserved eight pieces of legislation. ... I’m proud of that record.
“I didn’t think anybody didn’t know that my husband was a kidney specialist. If I had to do it over again, I would be shouting from the rafters that Dr. Larry is a kidney specialist.”
Reid and Obama and Holder are good at hiding abuses. Berkley needs to consult them
Is this a publicity stunt to replace Heath Ledger in the new Batman movie?
"The House committee on ethics." Now, that's an oxymoron if there ever was one! The House & Senate are rife with white collar criminals who, if in the private sector, would have been investigated, charged, tried, convicted and put in the slammer for the misdeeds they perpetrated on unsuspecting others. Berkley stands head & shoulders above the other crooks, liar & thieves, in or out of Congress. It's not some House "ethics" committee that should be investigating her. It's her dopey constituents who blindly vote for the legally, ethically and morally bankrupt charlatan. I've been appalled for years to be represented by such a low-life slime-bag. Finally, just finally, I may see the day when I am represented by someone with integrity, honesty and decency! But, I don't blame Berkley. She can't help herself. It's in her nature to be dishonest. I blame those who never bothered to check out just how much of a cretin she really is. Come November vote Heller!
With juvenile headlines such as the above of course the public may think there is something wrong. There isn't and this is just a way for Republicans to cast mud on Ms. Berkley to help the useless Heller. Meanwhile, newspapers are there to make a buck first and only occasionally report accurately.
Is there anyone with an ounce of rationality who is persuaded by the nonsense posted by Fink?
Compared to Washington D.C, Las Vegas is the city of Saints. Washington D.C. is the real Sin City. The idea that U.S. Congress actually has "ethics committee" is laughable. To think that the most corrupt institution, in the most corrupt city in America, is trying to do "ethics investigation" is indicative that the dumbing down of America has reached the final stages. Please consider the following:
--Members of Congress have been exempt from prosecution for using insider trading information for many years.!!! Just recently, they were forced to modify the exemption because of public embarrassment.
---Members of Congress are exempt from law suit for sexual harassment....!!!
---Members of Congress are exempt from paying taxes on their pension.....And they qualify for the full pension for life only after two terms (four years) in Congress...!!!
--- Members of Congress and their families have comprehensive health care paid by tax payers, and are entitled to this benefit for life, only after two terms in office (four years)...But they are saying that comprehensive health care is not good for the rest of America...!!!
Mschaffer, you have to be kidding me. You deride the liberal Sun? You either need a reality check, a bigger cup of coffee or, well, frankly I don't know. The pantheon of liberal journalism derides Berkley and you get your panties in a twist? Maybe it's because she really did do something wrong.
I know you're a partisan but I never knew how blind you were to ANY form of truth until now. My advice... Go back to bed.
How's life been for ya since 2007 folks? The chameleon like Democrat Loyalist Party has been enriching themselves and making fools of their "dopey constituents" now for SIX years. Thanks mainly to the juvenile blind Loyal journalists in the media and SIX prior years of Republican corporate cronyism they learned well. Term limits and TEA? You betcha.
Would YOU rather there be NO kidney services? That is what it all amounts to, in this one horse state of Nevada, which fails to provide citizens with an adequate infrastructure!
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley was put in a position of a rock and a hard place, in harm's way, if you will, and she courageously took the path to protect citizens who required necessary medical care. This ethics investigation is a shameful ploy to discredit Congresswoman Berkley, to cause HER harm politically, and tarnish her reputation. This woman truly has laid down her life for the citizens of Nevada and the country, and it is shameful for her opponents to drag her through the political mud in the hopes of getting a political edge. Shame, Shame, Shame!!!
Southern Nevada has had growing pains, and Nevada State has made it awfully difficult to attract and retain doctors willing to put up with all that is thrown their way, limiting their practices. At no time did Dr.Lerner's firm take away any business from others. He was providing in an area that they lacked. Let the medical community and clients be the judge, not career politicians!!!
Blessings and Peace,
Star
Corruption: this is what Democrats do. Dina Titus doesn't look too good. I wonder what she is gazing upon?
Star, well-said and I completely agree. It does appear that wingnuts would much rather have no specialized kidney services in Las Vegas. There's no arguing with that kind of mindset.
This is too funny that people making remarks are damning the Republicans and have not the sense to figure out that the committee seats five Democrats and five Republicans. They all voted to investigate Berkley. So brilliant ones who is throwing mud on your candidate?
Keep the kidney services, drop the reimbursement request.
Heck, they've reduce reimbursements on everything else, why is a congresswomen's spouse so special?
Dr. Larry is a kidney specialist! He sure isn't a plastic surgeon.
"The Committee notes that the mere fact of establishing an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred."
Mark Shaffer certainly does not want facts to get in the way of his inane comments. The House Ethics Committee has 10 members, 5 GOP and 5 Democrats. The vote to investigate Berkley was UNANIMOUS. What this means, Mr. Shaffer, is ALL of the GOP and ALL Democrat members voted to investigate Berkley. Do you understand where I am going here?
Admit you were wrong helping your husband Shelly
A political attack by Republiklan House hate mongers who want taxpayer paid healthcare for themselves while taking in away from poor people.
Streaker: Ms Haffer hides from the truth.
No doubt Shirley is a hard working woman even though I do not agree with her political philosophy. This one episode is going to cause her to lose to Mr. Heller.
Maybe I'm missing something here.
Maybe we should not attempt modern medical treatment in Nevada at all. Either the sick in Las Vegas drag themselves to LA or San Diego, or Phoenix, or the ill in Northern Nevada somehow get themselves to San Francisco or Salt Lake. And if they can't get there, they just die. That is one way to run a state. Of course, that would be tough on Nevadans who need dialysis, which for most cases of kidney failure is pretty much daily. But we just declare Nevada a strong kidney zone and then it is a matter of liberty -- anyone with failed kidneys has the liberty of moving out of state or accepting their fate.
But if we want kidney dialysis and transplants here in Nevada, then ought our representatives to fight for those capabilities or recuse themselves? When a state has only a small number of representatives, is it better off if its' representatives sideline themselves or if its representatives work effectively for the good of the people of Nevada?
If Shelley Berkley hadn't helped the fight to keep the kidney clinic open, how many people would have died? How many of us are absolutely sure that we will never develop kidney disease?
Berkley has not dropped out yet? Reid must have a secret plan to make this a winning issue.
Maybe Berkley can get in on one of Reid's land deals
Mitt Romney spent a third of his adult life believing that Blacks were inferior because they are related to Hamm and that deceased Jews, including holocaust victims should be baptised so they won't go to hell. This is the type of bigotry that the Republican controlled house embraces. The ethics violation is just more Republican racism.
Red: more Republican racism? You are deconstructing before our very eyes. Utah is poised to elect a new congresswoman who happens to be both black and Republican. Please record these events so there is an historical record.
5 Democrats (and 5 R's) voted to have Shelley investigated? Wouldn't be surprised if Harry is behind this.
Until you have kidney disease, as I do having a kidney transplant here in Las Vegas would or could be my only option. It is very hard to believe that only the people who read this and point fingers, are just really pathetic. I hope that you or your loved ones NEVER have to have a kidney transplant. A beloved cousin of mine was on the transplant list for two years and DIED, because no kidney from a Living Person was available. This hits me, personally very hard. I am glad that we have a representative like Ms.Berkley, who fights for US, her constituents.