Ethics panel to review finances of Rep. Buchanan

By The Associated Press
Published: February 06, 2012

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MIAMI — The U.S. House ethics committee is reviewing allegations of irregularities in financial disclosure statements and tax returns filed by Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota.

A statement released by the ethics committee Monday says further review is warranted of a referral about the matter by the Office of Congressional Ethics.

That panel concluded that Buchanan failed to disclose positions with certain companies and income between 2007 and 2010. In some cases the probe found discrepancies between Buchanan's financial disclosures and his tax returns.

Committee documents say Buchanan has since filed amended financial disclosure forms. The Sarasota congressman blamed many of the problems on oversights or mistakes. A spokesman did not immediately return a telephone call seeking further comment Monday.

Buchanan has also been investigated over possible campaign finance violations.