The Hill News

The House ethics committee announced Friday it has canceled its trial of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) due to the discovery of new evidence in the case.

According to a joint statement from committee chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and ranking member Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), the case is being referred back to the subcommittee investigating the matter. Waters's trial was set to begin on Nov. 29.

"The committee voted to recommit the matter regarding Representative Maxine Waters to the investigative subcommittee due to materials discovered that may have had an effect on the investigative subcommittee's transmittal to the committee," they wrote. "As a result, the adjudicatory subcommittee no longer has jurisdiction over this matter and the adjudicatory hearing previously scheduled for November 29, 2010 will not be held."

The decision is a setback for the ethics committee, which had hoped to conclude the Waters trial during the lame-duck session of ! Congress. The announcement comes one day after the committee recommended that the House censure Waters' colleague in the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), for committing 11 violations of House ethics rules. 

Waters, a member of the Financial Services Committee, is accused of using her position to arrange a meeting between Treasury Department officials and the National Bankers Association regarding OneUnited Bank. At the time, Waters' husband was a significant shareholder in the bank and had formerly served on its board of directors. 

The California congresswoman has strongly denied the charges, saying frequently saying "No benefit, no improper action, no failure to disclose, no one influenced: no case."