WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, December 30) -- House Speaker Newt Gingrich has finished paying off a $300,000 penalty imposed for violating House rules, the ethics committee announced Wednesday.

Gingrich made the final payment of $150,000, the committee said, and "has now satisfied in full" the obligation imposed by his House colleagues in January 1997.

Gingrich had arranged a loan from former Sen. Bob Dole to help with the payments, but decided to use his personal funds instead.

Gingrich, reprimanded by the House two years ago, admitted he misled the House's Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and should have sought better legal advice before using tax-exempt organizations to advance his political goals.

The penalty was intended to reimburse the ethics committee for the extra time and effort that resulted from Gingrich's misleading statements.

Wednesday, December 30, 1998

• Hyde opposes preliminary vote on impeachment
• Poll: Bill, Hillary top most admired list
• Hastert will run for House speaker
• Gingrich pays off ethics penalty
• Sen. McCain prepares for a presidential bid
• Clinton announces plan to reorganize foreign affairs agencies
• Clinton starts New Year's retreat
• U.S. relaxes encryption restrictions
• Andrew Johnson gets wreath on grave
• Big spenders did well in '98 vote
• Sen. McCain exploring bid for GOP presidential nomination

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