FBI Raids Home of Rep. Doolittle

It has been reported recently that the FBI raided the Virginia home of Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) last Friday.

Rep. John Doolittle has been under investigation by the Justice Department for his ties to former super-lobbyist, Jack Abramoff and other allegations of unethical behavior.

Here's what we know:

• For his 2004 campaign, he refused to return an estimated $50,000 in campaign contributions he received from Abramoff clients.
• He steered $37 million in defense appropriations to a company headed by Brent Wilkes, the man who Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from.
• He paid his wife a 15 percent commission from campaign funds.  Although he has asserted that this is “standard practice” in the industry, the 27,000 member Association of Fundraising Professionals, sent him a letter flatly stating it violates the ethics standards of the industry.
• He short-circuited an FDIC investigation into the primary owner of a failed S&L that cost taxpayers billions.

Learn more about Doolittle in our Hall of Shame.

UPDATE: According to the AP, despite stepping down temporarily from his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Doolittle today proclaimed his innocence and that he will fight any charges, not resign, and plans on seeking re-election.