Rep. Doolittle Draws Scrutiny

Rep. John Doolittle has been drawing more than his fair share of scrutiny for his ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, his efforts on behalf of tribal gaming interests, and for his fundraising schemes that benefitted his wife.

The Sacramento Bee had two major stories over the long Christmas weekend that has to have Doolittle, and those close to him, sweating profusely.

Here's the story on Doolittle's fundraising tactics that benefitted his wife to the tune of $136,000. 

A business operated by the wife of Rep. John Doolittle has pumped more than $136,000 into the family's finances over the last three years from commissions on fundraising for the Roseville Republican's federal political action committee.

Julie Doolittle's company has been paid commissions amounting to about 15 percent of the $905,000 the congressman's PAC has received in contributions over the last three years, a figure the congressman's office did not dispute. At that rate, more than $10,000 of her company's earnings would have come from a handful of large contributors linked to ongoing corruption investigations.

Just last week, the NY Times reported that federal prosecutors are so fascinated by the GOP/Abramoff practice of funnelling money to congressional and lobbyist spouses, that they have dubbed the practice, "The Wives Club." 

Today's SacBee also has a major story on Doolittle's efforts on behalf of tribal gaming interests. 

 E-mails uncovered by a Senate committee show superlobbyist Jack Abramoff had a keen interest in Rep. John Doolittle's unsuccessful effort to block approval of the United Auburn Indian Community's Thunder Valley casino in Placer County.

Abramoff, whom Doolittle described as a close friend, had a tribal client thousands of miles away in Louisiana that could have benefited from the precedent if Doolittle and other critics succeeded in persuading the U.S. Department of Interior to stop Thunder Valley in 2002.

Doolittle's spokewoman, Laura Blackann, is quoted in today's Bee story.   Close Abramoff watchers will recognize Blackann and her husband Trevor, as part of Club Abramoff.  Here's more Fired Up! Missouri coverage of Doolittle.

And here's a SacBee story from November 30th.