Wilson was one of several congressmembers involved in a House Ethics Committee investigation over their alleged misuse of foreign travel funds, in which Wilson was found to have purchased marble goblets while on a trip to Afghanistan. Later, the investigation into Wilson was broadened to include his unusually high number of foreign trips since taking office, which were found to have cost taxpayers over $100,000. While the investigation was later dropped, Wilson said he “stood by the [dollar] numbers” and was within his right to take as many foreign trips as he had.
Congressional Investigators Questioned Several Congressmembers, Including Wilson, Over Their Alleged Misuse Of Government Funds During Overseas Travel. According to The Wall Street Journal, “Congressional investigators are questioning a half-dozen lawmakers for possibly misspending government funds meant to pay for overseas travel, according to people familiar with the matter. The investigation follows a Wall Street Journal article in March that said lawmakers had used daily cash stipends, meant to cover certain costs of official government travel overseas, to cover expenses that appeared to be unauthorized by House rules. An independent ethics board has referred the matter to the House ethics committee. […] The Journal article in March quoted several lawmakers saying they didn't return excess travel funds to the government. Rep. Joe Wilson (R., S.C.) said he once bought marble goblets in Kabul. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D., Fla.) said he paid for drinks and gifts for people who traveled with him. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D., N.C.), who is a member of the House ethics committee, said he sometimes keeps the extra money. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R., Ala.) said he didn't know if he kept extra money because he doesn't keep receipts.” [Wall Street Journal, 8/31/10]
The Congressional Ethics Investigation Into Wilson’s Alleged Misuse Of Per-Diem Expense Money Was Broadened To Include His Unusually High Number Of Foreign Trips. According to the Seattle Times, “The congressional ethics investigation of Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., is broader than previously disclosed and goes beyond his use of $12 in per-diem expense money to buy six decorative goblets in Afghanistan last year. Congressional employees with detailed knowledge of the probe said ethics investigators are examining Wilson’s unusually high number of foreign trips — at least 30 in the past eight years — and his use of per-diem expense money while traveling abroad.” [Seattle Times, 9/4/10]
The House Ethics Committee Decided Not To Pursue Allegations That Wilson And Five Other Congressmembers Misused Their Official Travel Funds. According to Roll Call, “The House ethics committee has decided not to pursue allegations that six lawmakers misused official travel funds, the panel announced Friday. In a statement posted on its website, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct announced it will close its review into trips taken by Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), Solomon Ortiz (D-Texas) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) between 2008 and 2010. ‘In light of the recommendations of the staff, the Committee will take no further action regarding these six matters,’ Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), the chairwoman and ranking member of the panel in the 111th Congress, wrote in the statement. Bonner is taking over as chairman of the committee this year.” [Roll Call, 1/3/11]