(CNN) – Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office said Monday that any potentially-damaging information she had on Newt Gingrich was all open to the public, defending earlier comments that she had "a thousand pages" of investigative material on Gingrich during his time as House speaker.
"Leader Pelosi was clearly referring to the extensive amount of information that is in the public record, including the comprehensive committee report with which the public may not be fully aware," said Nadeam Elshami, a Pelosi spokesman, in a statement.
Earlier Monday, Pelosi suggested in an interview she would talk in detail at some point about the House ethics committee's investigation of Gingrich in the late 1990s.
In the interview with the left-leaning news website Talking Points Memo, Pelosi was pressed to talk about her thoughts on the Republican presidential candidate's recent rise in the polls. While the House Democratic Leader demurred, she signaled she'd have more to say later.
"One of these days we'll have a conversation about Newt Gingrich," Pelosi told TPM. "I know a lot about him. I served on the investigative committee that investigated him, four of us locked in a room in an undisclosed location for a year. A thousand pages of his stuff."
According to the TPM story, Pelosi "joked" the information would come out "when the time's right."
After hearing about the interview, Gingrich told reporters in New York that he considered Pelosi's comments "an early Christmas gift" and said any information the Democratic Leader might release on the ethics probe would itself be a violation of House ethics rules.
"That is a fundamental violation of the rules of the House and I would hope members would immediately file charges against her the second she does it," Gingrich said. If Pelosi did talk publicly about any private deliberations of the inquiry, Gingrich urged members of the House to file a complaint against her.
At his press conference on Monday, former Speaker Gingrich also noted that 83 charges the House committee investigated were found to be false.
But in 1997 Gingrich became the only speaker to be reprimanded by the House, for giving false information about using tax deductible funds for political purposes to the ethics committee. He was also ordered to pay $300,000 to cover the cost of the panel's inquiry.
From CNN Politics
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Pelosi, how about giving us the bullet points on all that you have, with links to the full story.
I'm belived that nancy make trouble blame of him alright I mocked out of nancy that I'm belived that presdient obama was born in keynea so I ask people how obama s uncle lived in conn so he trying hide staying at amercian
"But in 1997 Gingrich became the only speaker to be reprimanded by the House, for giving false information about using tax deductible funds for political purposes to the ethics committee. He was also ordered to pay $300,000 to cover the cost of the panel's inquiry."
That's all you need to know about this guy. He has such seriuos character flaws that it is ludicroius to think that anyone would seriuosly think of letting him back into government.
OH NO don't tell me SHE had an affair with him too??
I do not normally say this, but I HATE Gingrich. If people do not want Romney (which is my choice for nominee of the GOP), at least vote for someone else rather than Gingrich.
Romney 2012 !
Ah, yes, Pelosi. There is a reliable source for you. On the other hand, Gingrich is not exactly a prince either.
Let's see the stuff nancy.
Besides being a self described historian (haha), he is now a self described attorney telling you what you can or can't do.
Let's see whatca got!
Can't wait.
Mitt Romney. The only candidate without a closet full of skeletons. I guess that disqualifies him for POTUS.
The wicked witch from the West is back in the news. Thought a bucket of water had been tossed on her, and she had become a puddle of foul smelling goo.
THIS is why Newt is teaming up with the Donald. lol, Newt knows he is not long for this campaign (just like cain) and he is going for the reality shows and money just like Trump and Palin.
As Gingrich is subjected to closer scrutiny, Tea Party and family values social conservatives may not like Gingrich's past establishment sleeze baggage.
Gingrich is right: Pelosi's comments are an early 2011 Christmas gift for Newt Gingrich, as it'll no doubt help him in the primaries with a Republican base that despises her.
However, it's also worth noting that the nomination of Newt Gingrich to the Republican ticket will be an early 2012 Christmas present for President Obama.
Oh good – more dirt on Newt, and, as I have said before, all supporters of Newt should be sterilized so they can't breed.
Well, its official now. The GOP/Tp has totally gone to the clowns. You have to ask yourself. Why would the Donald and Newt make a mockery of the GOP/TP?
should have just released it instead of talking about it. the longer pelosi talks about it the less credible the information is seen as from anyone likely to support gingrich.
Hey Newt...they bugged your office and put in tiny cameras....pictures to be released will make Madonna Blush...
This just shows the double standard; that the holier then thou group that keep attacking the president and not looking in the mirror to see their own misdeeds
Whether he did or didn't do certain things years ago, it's all in the past. In my 73 years I have never seen such a muck-raking bunch as Pelosi and her goons. They are so terrified that Obama will lose in 2012 they are going to horrendous lengths to defame the GOP contenders. If I were to publicly defame a neighbor by digging up old dirt on them, even if it were common knowledge, I would be hauled into court and punished for defamation of character. The Dems are such a pathetic bunch of losers and I hope they lose royally in 2012 and other years. They lie, steal and are horribly corrupt – from the top on down.
Oh, so Nancy's threat is only about ethics? Darn! I was sure we had another disclosure of an adulterous relationship. Hard for Pelosi to claim that the threat is not politically motivated and in clear violation of House ethics rules. Would love to see this whole thing blow up in her Botox-enhanced face.
Newt Gingrich should not be considered for public office ever again. He does not know what the word "ethical" means.
God Bless!
It makes sense for Pelosi to do this now. She knows the Republican base hate her and that her (so far unfounded) accusations are just fuel for them to nominate Newt. Who wants the Gringrich nomination more than the Democratic leadership? No-freaking-body! Pelosi and Co. don't fear Gringich, they fear a viable Republican candidate. Now we just gotta find one!
It's kinda ironic that the tea party embraces him even though he was the type of politician they despise.
I wouldn't believe anything Newt Gingrich said, even if his tongue was notarized.
Does this mean Newt can tell all about Pelosi ? That would be bery juicy !