Gingrich's congressional career ended in 1999 when he resigned from Congress after poor showings from Republicans in the midterm elections and due to being investigated by the House ethics panel. Claims were made that Gingrich had used a political consultant in the development of the GOP platform contrary to House Ethics Rules. Despite his claim of no wrongdoing, a $300,000 fine was imposed by the panel. The final three of the charges were dismissed in October 1998.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/101198.htm Ethics Committee Drops Last of 84 Charges Against Gingrich</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/gingrich123198.htm Gingrich Pays Off Ethics Penalty</ref> | Gingrich's congressional career ended in 1999 when he resigned from Congress after poor showings from Republicans in the midterm elections and due to being investigated by the House ethics panel. Claims were made that Gingrich had used a political consultant in the development of the GOP platform contrary to House Ethics Rules. Despite his claim of no wrongdoing, a $300,000 fine was imposed by the panel. The final three of the charges were dismissed in October 1998.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/101198.htm Ethics Committee Drops Last of 84 Charges Against Gingrich</ref><ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/gingrich123198.htm Gingrich Pays Off Ethics Penalty</ref> |