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Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Calif.) has established a legal expense trust to pay for expenses associated with an FBI review of his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Feeney has said he is voluntarily cooperating with the investigation, which came to light in April, but has denied having any kind of relationship with Abramoff. “There is no relationship,” he told The Hill earlier this year. “Rep. Feeney considers this an embarrassing episode in his 17-year career as an elected official and an expensive lesson for him as a public servant,” according to a written statement Feeney’s office released at the time. “The Justice Department has contacted Rep. Feeney to request more information regarding this matter and he is pleased to voluntarily cooperate.” Feeney was cited as “Representative #3” in a Department of Justice document charging Mark Zachares, a former House aide, with helping Abramoff in his conspiracy to defraud the public. In the document, Feeney was mentioned as attending the same 2003 golfing trip to Scotland as Zachares. Former GOP Reps. Tom DeLay (Texas) and Bob Ney (Ohio), who both resigned last year, also traveled to Scotland with Abramoff on separate trips. Ney was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after acknowledging taking bribes from Abramoff. Federal agents also have asked the St. Petersburg Times for an email sent to the newspaper by Feeney’s office describing the golfing trip. The e-mail was sent in response to a series of questions about interactions between Feeney and Abramoff. Feeney filed trust documents with the House of Representatives June 20 stating that he “has incurred legal expenses in connection with his official duties and position in Congress, and matters bearing on his reputation or fitness for office.” |
