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WASHINGTON Nov 18, 2004 — The House ethics committee decided Thursday to take no action against Rep. Karen McCarthy after finding that she misused campaign funds for a trip to the Grammy Awards and refused to repay the money. In recommending no sanctions against the Missouri Democrat, the panel cited her retirement in January and said the Federal Election Commission could pursue the matter. "I'm pleased the committee recommended no action, as I know I did nothing wrong," McCarthy said in a statement. "I am confident that based on controlling FEC precedent, my campaign activities at the Grammys did not...

U.S. Rep. Karen McCarthy revealed Saturday that she would not seek re-election to Congress next year. The five-term Kansas City Democrat, who disclosed in March that she is an alcoholic and has struggled with ethical issues and high staff turnover, said she was seeking more tranquillity. “I want to focus on balance in my public life,” she said in an interview with The Kansas City Star. “Too often, I've put my career and helping others ahead of my own needs. I made sacrifices willingly; it was what I did best.” The key now, said the 56-year-old McCarthy, is looking after...

Embattled lawmaker Karen McCarthy a Democrat from Kansas City will retire after 10 years in Congress to seek 'tranquility.''I want to focus on balance in my life,' she said.'Too often, I've put my career and helping others ahead of my own needs. I made sacrifices willingingly, it is what I did best.' McCarthy did not return telephone calls to her home and cellphone Sunday from the Associated Press.McCarthy's decent began last March with a drunken fall on a Capitol Hill escalator. It ended amid allegiations fist reported by the Associated Press, that she misused her staff and her campaign for...

Rep. Karen McCarthy, D-Mo., will retire after 10 years in Congress, her hometown newspaper reported Sunday. McCarthy, 56, told The Kansas City Star she seeks tranquility. "I want to focus on balance in my life," she said. "Too often, I've put my career and helping others ahead of my own needs. I made sacrifices willingly; it was what I did best." McCarthy did not return telephone calls to her home and cell phone Sunday from The Associated Press. McCarthy's descent began last March with a drunken fall on a Capitol Hill escalator. It ended amid allegations, first reported by The...

() McCarthy WASHINGTON — Embattled Kansas City Congresswoman Karen McCarthy asserted Friday that a campaign-financed trip to the Grammy Awards was proper and legal.The five-term Democrat said she used campaign funds to attend the February ceremony in New York because she works with music-industry issues and many of her constituents are recording artists.“I am perfectly within the law,” she said.Former McCarthy staff members continue to call the Grammy trip a personal excursion, which would not be allowable under campaign funding rules. The itinerary included meals with famous music industry figures, including U2 lead singer Bono and Clive Davis, as...

By LIBBY QUAID Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- Shortly after midnight on March 21, congressional aides tried to coax Rep. Karen McCarthy toward a government parking garage. Instead, McCarthy turned and charged up the down escalator. She hurled her satchel at an aide, lost her balance and pitched forward, gashing her forehead on the serrated metal of the steps. Hours later, McCarthy joined a long list of lawmakers who have admitted alcoholism. McCarthy, 56, apparently is the first woman in Congress to do so. Her actions since returning from treatment in May have called attention to a pattern of...