[JURIST] The US House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct [official website] concluded Friday that although Republican leaders did not break any ethics rules [PDF report] in addressing the misconduct of disgraced ex-Congressman Mark Foley [Congressional profile], they nonetheless failed to protect young pages from inappropriate communications. Following an investigation [JURIST report], the panel found that House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) [official website] most likely received at least two emails detailing Foley's abuses, but did not act on the claims for fear of creating scandal.

Committee leaders Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), said the report reflects the bipartisan conclusions of a four-member investigative panel. Foley's behavior is currently the subject of a Florida criminal investigation [JURIST report]. AP has more.