Rep. Doolittle not worried about ex-aides and DOJ

Friday, June 29, 2007  

Rep. John Doolittle (R-California) is not worried that as many as six former aides have been contacted by the Department of Justice as part of the Jack Abramoff investigation.

"Why didn't they do this a year and a half ago when I wrote the attorney general, or even before that?" Doolittle asked during his weekly telephone press conference with reporters, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Pete Evich, Doolittle's former legislative director, said he will voluntarily talk to the Department of Justice. David Lopez, a former chief of staff, has agreed to turn over documents but has said he won't meet with prosecutors.

Another aide, Jason Larrabee, just announced he was dropping out of a state Assembly race. But former Rep. Doug Ose (R-California), who once had Larrabee on his staff, said it had nothing to do with the Abramoff probe.

Doolittle once defended Abramoff's work on behalf of tribes. He inserted comments into the Congressional Record that praised the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. His wife, Julia, used to do consulting work for Abramoff.

Doolittle's former legislative director, Kevin Ring, also worked for Abramoff. Ring quit his lobbying job on the same day FBI agents raided Doolittle's home in northern Virginia.

Get the Story:
Doolittle pleased former aides talking to feds (The Sacramento Bee 6/29)
pwlat

Relevant Links:
Rep. John Doolittle - http://www.house.gov/doolittle

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