Rep. Lewis keeps spending on lawyers for federal probe

By: ERICA WERNER - Associated Press | Friday, October 27, 2006 7:49 PM PDT ∞

WASHINGTON -- House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, under federal investigation for his ties to a lobbying firm, spent more than $50,000 on attorneys this month, new campaign finance reports show.

The California Republican has now paid his legal team at Los Angeles-based Gibson, .25 & Crutcher, LLP more than $800,000 since the investigation became public in May.

Lewis has denied wrongdoing in the probe, which is focusing on his ties to Washington-based Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton, & White. The firm, which split into two entities over the summer, employs one of Lewis' close friends, former California Republican Rep. Bill Lowery.

The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles has subpoenaed Copeland, Lowery clients in Lewis' inland Southern California district for information on why they hired the firm, and communications with the firm and Lewis.

Copeland, Lowery clients have received "earmarks" -- spending for specific projects inserted into legislation -- from Lewis' committee, and the firm and its clients have donated to Lewis' campaigns.

No one has been charged in the investigation.

Federal Election Commission reports filed Thursday showed Lewis paid Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher $51,639 on Oct. 11. From July through September Lewis paid the firm $551,000, and he paid a retainer of $200,000 in early June.

Lewis' lawyers include former Solicitor General Ted Olson and Robert Bonner, who once led the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles and was once head of Customs and Border Protection.

"Congressman Lewis has availed himself of excellent legal representation so that this matter may be resolved expeditiously while he focuses his efforts on doing the work of the people of the 41st district of California," spokeswoman Barbara Comstock said in a statement. "We are confident that Congressman Lewis has honorably served his constituents and that he will be fully exonerated once this investigation is completed."

Lewis paid Comstock's firm, Blank Rome Government Relations LLC, more than $17,000 in September.

Despite the investigation Lewis is expected to easily win re-election Nov. 7 against Democrat Louie Contreras, a political unknown who has raised less than $5,000.

And despite his legal expenses Lewis had more than $1 million left in the bank as of Oct. 18 and has been able to give excess campaign money to more endangered Republicans. He sent checks of $1,000 or $2,000 to more than five dozen GOP candidates at the end of September, including fellow California incumbents Brian Bilbray, Richard Pombo and John Doolittle.

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