Robert Torricelli

On July 30, 2002, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics issued a formal Letter of Admonition to Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ). The committee found that Torricelli had accepted improper gifts from campaign donor David Chang — who had separately pleaded guilty to violating federal election laws — including a $1,900 big-screen television, a CD player, and earrings for Torricelli's sister, an employee, and a friend. The Committee concluded Torricelli exhibited 'poor judgment' by taking official actions to benefit Chang — contacting government officials, writing letters to international governments, and letting Chang and his representatives attend meetings between the senator and foreign-government officials.

• U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics — Torricelli Letter of Admonition (July 30, 2002) PDF (2002-07-30)
• Washington Post — Senate Ethics Panel rebukes Torricelli (2002-07-31)
• CNN — Torricelli apologizes for ethics 'lapses' (July 31 2002)
• Wikipedia — Robert Torricelli

The Committee determined that Torricelli's actions 'and failure to act' created 'at least the appearance of impropriety' and led to violations of Senate Rules. In September 2002, facing collapsing re-election polls after the formal admonition, Torricelli ended his Senate re-election campaign. New Jersey Democrats substituted former Senator Frank Lautenberg on the ballot.

• Washington Post — Senate Ethics Panel rebukes Torricelli (2002-07-31)
• Wikipedia — Robert Torricelli