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Ethics Panel Dismisses Allegations Against Rep. Jared Polis

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House Ethics Committee said Monday it was dismissing allegations that Democratic Rep. Jared Polis inappropriately promoted two businesses when he appeared in promotional material for a video game company and got a makeover from a Colorado menswear store.

Polis appeared in a video released this year by Riot Games, the company that produces the video game "League of Legends." Polis is a fan of the game and participated in a company video that showed him working in his office and playing the game at home.

In the second matter, the committee reviewed Polis' participation in a makeover by Boulder, Colorado-based menswear company Ninox. After a magazine wrote that Polis had the "worst congressional style ever," Ninox offered to allow him to try on some of their clothing at an event covered by local media. Polis later bought some of the clothing and paid for it himself.

The ethics panel concluded that Polis did not violate House rules on endorsements of commercial entities. The committee noted in its report that his appearances had "substantial non-commercial, representational" purposes.

"While it does appear that both the Riot Games video and the Ninox clothing event were intended, at least in part, to promote the businesses, this is true in virtually every instance in which a business participates in or arranges an event with a member," the panel wrote.

In a statement, Polis said he is glad the panel dismissed the matter.

"The activities - an interview I did for a website popular with gamers and a tongue-in-cheek press event lampooning my infamous fashion sense - reflect my ongoing efforts to creatively reach constituents where they are in a relevant manner," he said.

Still, the committee noted in its report that members have to be careful.

"Members have some discretion to perform representational duties related to commercial entities, but must use caution not to take actions that could be perceived as an official endorsement of a commercial entity, or to use official resources to promote a business endeavor," the panel wrote.

- By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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