Panel eyes claims vs. Texas rep.

The House Ethics Committee said on Thursday that it was investigating Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold over allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation involving a former female staff member.

The panel said it was also looking into whether Farenthold (left), 55, of Corpus Christi, Texas, made inappro- priate statements to other members of his staff.

Farenthold said in a statement that he was relieved the ethics panel was going to look into the allegations.