RICHMOND -- A state ethics panel has halted an inquiry into whether former Del. Phillip Hamilton improperly used his powerful position to secure himself a job with Old Dominion University.

The House Ethics Advisory Panel said in a letter to House Speaker William J. Howell that it lacks jurisdiction to investigate a complaint about Hamilton, because state law only allows it to investigate current legislators. Hamilton, the top GOP member of the Appropriations Committee, resigned Nov. 16.

Howell noted Tuesday that the inquiry didn't conclude whether Hamilton violated state law.

A federal probe is focusing on allegations that he arranged a job at ODU as he steered hundreds of thousands of dollars in appropriations to the school.

Hamilton lost his re-election bid.