Doolittle Plans to Keep Every Cent of His Tainted Money

This AP story was published as a "Top Story" on the Sacramento area CBS affiliate KOVR/Ch. 13:

Doolittle To Retain Donations From Abramoff
President Bush and numerous lawmakers have dumped campaign contributions from Abramoff.

(AP) LOS ANGELES Republican Congressman John Doolittle says he will not return any of the $50,000 dollars in political donations he received from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff or the Indian tribes Abramoff once represented.

A spokeswoman says Doolittle, of Rocklin, "has no intention of returning any contribution from anyone that was made in an ethical and legal matter."

President Bush and numerous lawmakers have dumped campaign contributions from Abramoff.

Abramoff pleaded guilty this week in Washington to mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion in connection with his lobbying activities, and in Miami to conspiracy and wire fraud.

Doolittle's campaign received $4,000 dollars from Abramoff, and his political committees banked another 46-thousand from tribes linked to the lobbyist.