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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Lobbyist corruption trial looks at Istook's office
2009-09-14
An attorney in the federal corruption case of a lobbyist says former U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook collected money from lobbyists and then asked them what projects they wanted in a major spending bill.
Queerly enough for this Name That Party mystery, former Representative Istook was apparently a Republican.
Andrew T. Wise, attorney for lobbyist Kevin Ring, says the former Oklahoma congressman held 22 fundraisers in the first three months after becoming the chairman of a subcommittee that had control of highway spending. Wise says Ring helped raise money for Istook and that now-imprisoned former lobbyist Jack Abramoff made the first donation to Istook's political action committee. But Wise says the actions weren't illegal.

In a statement to The Oklahoman, Istook says he based his decisions on merit and on requests from members of Congress, not on contributions.
Posted by:Fred

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