Kingston donates to peer
Mon, Feb 11, 2008
By ANNA FERGUSONThe Brunswick NewsPolitics is a hard-ball game, where people are often guilty until proven innocent. U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-1, has seen this first hand during his time in office. So when a fellow congressman recently found himself drowning in legal bills due to a federal investigation, Kingston was quick to step up and help out. While under investigation because of his link to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., has received an outpouring of generosity from his fellow congressman, who are helping him pay escalating legal bills. "I've worked with John for 14 years, and I wouldn't have sent him a check if I didn't think he was innocent," Kingston said. Doolittle reported in a filing made public Thursday that he has received more than $36,000 in contributions from colleagues between July 27, when he started the fund, and the end of 2007. Of contributions reported, $5,000 was contributed by Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.Kingston donated $1,000.In total, Doolittle's legal fund raised $66,250 last year, with all but $5,889 being spent by Dec. 31.Other Republican lawmakers who made donations from their campaign funds to Doolittle's legal fund include U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colorado."Politics is tricky," Kingston said. "Once you're accused of something, it's guilty until proven innocent. And even when proven innocent, it's hard to clear your name. Careers are often ruined."That seems to be the case with Doolittle, who has announced he will not seek a 10th term in office due to the investigation. Doolittle, who adamantly denies any wrongdoing, is under fire for his connection to Abramoff, a former Republican lobbyist and businessman who was convicted by a federal court for fraud and corruption. Julie Doolittle, the congressman's wife, was a fundraiser for Abramoff. The couple's home was searched by FBI agents last year as part of the ongoing investigation of business practices conducted by Doolittle and various public officials.Kingston also had a connection to Abramoff. He had received $17,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff but in January 2006 announced he was giving it to charities in his district.An aide to Kingston said at the time that the money had been accepted legally but that the congressman decided to donate it to charities after accusations of wrongdoing by Abramoff came to light.
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