Republicans on the House Oversight Committee have requested an expanded investigation into former Metro board chairman Jack Evans and whether he and another board member tried to obstruct an investigation into Evans' ethics violations.
Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) sent a letter to Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) Tuesday asking for the oversight committee to conduct transcribed interviews with Evans and four other current and former members of the WMATA board.
The congressmen say more information is needed because WMATA's ethics committee didn't investigate possible attempts by Evans and former Metro board member Corbett Price to obstruct the investigation into whether Evans used his position to solicit business from area lobbyists.
The probe found Evans failed to disclose a profitable conflict-of-interest. Evans resigned his transit job days later but remains a D.C. city councilman.
Price resigned from the board in late August after several council members unsuccessfully tried to oust him.
"The Committee has jurisdiction over WMATA due to its status as an intergovernmental compact between Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia," the letter says.
Jordan and Meadows also mention an upcoming hearing on D.C. statehood as reason for the investigation.
"This investigation has a direct bearing on matters currently before the Committee, including the announced hearings on statehood for the District of Columbia and WMATA oversight."
Records show Evans threatened the jobs of a board lawyer and secretary while trying to hide the findings of the ethics probe, the Washington Post reported in August.
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Evans' lawyer, Mark Tuohey, says Evans never intended that anyone be fired. Clarence C. Crawford, who chaired the ethics committee, made the findings public at the request of state and local officials.
Federal agents continue to probe Evans' private consulting business.
He was fined $20,000 for flaunting his position and influence when trying to land outside jobs.
