Members of Congress under an ethics cloud:
SENATE
- Larry Craig, R-Idaho, arrested on June 11 in a Minneapolis airport men's room after an undercover officer observed conduct that he said was "often used by persons communicating a desire to engage in sexual conduct." He subsequently pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Craig said he did nothing wrong and shouldn't have pleaded guilty. Under intense pressure from fellow Republicans, he announced Saturday that he will resign from the Senate, effective Sept. 30.
- Pete Domenici, R-N.M., under investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee after a watchdog group accused him of trying to pressure David Iglesias, then the U.S. attorney in Albuquerque, N.M., to rush a corruption probe against Democrats to sway the 2006 elections. Iglesias says he believes he was dismissed from his job for resisting Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., who both say they did not pressure him.
- Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, under investigation for his connection to oil field services contractor Bill Allen, who helped oversee a renovation project that more than doubled the size of Stevens' Alaska home in 2000. Investigators, including FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents, raided Stevens' home July 30. Allen has pleaded guilty to bribing Alaska lawmakers. Stevens has denied any wrongdoing.
- David Vitter, R-La., apologized July 9 for committing a "very serious sin in my past," acknowledging that his Washington phone number was among those called several years ago by a Washington-area escort service that prosecutors have said was a front for prostitution.
HOUSE
- John Doolittle, R-Calif., left the Appropriations Committee after FBI agents raided his Washington-area home. His wife, Julie, ran a business from the home in which she received commissions as a paid fund raiser for her husband's campaigns and her clients included now-jailed GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Doolittle denies any wrongdoing.
- William Jefferson, D-La., indicted June 4 on federal charges of racketeering, money-laundering and soliciting more than $400,000 in bribes in connection with years of trying to broker business deals in Africa. Investigators raided Jefferson's Washington home and found $90,000 in cash stuffed in his freezer. He has denied wrongdoing.
- Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., is being investigated by federal prosecutors who are examining his dealings with lobbyists and contractors during the time he chaired the House Appropriations Committee. Lewis, who announced Friday he will seek re-election next year, has denied wrongdoing.
- Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., stepped down from the House ethics committee after federal agents began a probe of federal funds he helped steer to nonprofit groups and his participation in some real estate investments. Mollohan says he has done nothing wrong.
- Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., faces a federal inquiry into a land swap that netted his former business partner, friend and campaign donor $4.5 million. Renzi also has faced scrutiny from the Federal Election Commission, which investigated allegations that he channeled prohibited corporate funds into his 2002 campaign. The FEC dropped the inquiry, but Renzi paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes while settling the charges. Renzi has denied wrongdoing, but decided against seeking re-election next year.
- Heather Wilson, R-N.M. The House ethics committee has interviewed former prosecutor Iglesias, a first step toward deciding whether to open an inquiry into allegations that Wilson tried to pressure him to rush indictments in an alleged kickback scheme against Democrats before the November election. Iglesias says he believes he was fired because he resisted Wilson and Domenici. Both say they didn't pressure him.
Where is all that moral indignation?
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