Ethics panel investigating Mass. lawmaker

BOSTON (WHDH) – A state representative is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee after a staffer alleged the politician engaged in serious misconduct.

A spokesman for House Speaker Robert DeLeo confirmed the serious allegations against a house member, but he, and various members of the House Ethics Committee, refuse to name the person at the center of the scandal.

Governor Deval Patrick had little to say about the matter.

“I don’t know anything about it other than what I’ve read,” he said.

Once the employee made the allegations, the House counsel executed a preliminary review, which found sufficient cause to warrant a full probe. DeLeo then ordered the ethics committee to begin a full probe.

According to Speaker DeLeo's office, he "…directed the House Committee on Ethics to fully investigate the allegations. In order to protect the integrity of the ethics committee investigation, Speaker DeLeo will have no further comment on this matter."