Checks to DeLay, Reid Raise Questions

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid are among five lawmakers who have accepted lobbyist donations to their legal defense funds despite rules prohibiting such contributions.

Congressional records show that DeLay (R-Texas) accepted contributions from five lobbyists and one lobbying firm totaling $8,000 between 2001 and 2004. He has returned $3,500 from two of the donors.

Reid (D-Nev.) accepted one lobbyist contribution of $3,000 in 1999.

The contributions were reported by the Center for Public Integrity, a nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization that conducts investigative research and reporting on public policy issues.

Lawmakers can establish defense funds to help pay legal bills for ethics and criminal investigations or other legal matters including election recounts.

DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden said an audit by an independent firm was underway to ensure that the donations complied with the rules.

“Any donations that are in noncompliance with the rules pertaining to legal defense funds will be returned,” Madden said. “The audit will be finished shortly. Oftentimes, because of the volume or timing, some donations that are in noncompliance slip through.”

Lobbyist Robert Odle Jr. said a $1,000 contribution to DeLay’s fund in 2001 actually was made by his wife, although the fund reported both their names -- as listed on the check.

Reid spokeswoman Tessa Hafen said the senator received a contribution from a longtime friend who had registered as a lobbyist shortly before the donation. She said Reid was not aware of the registration at the time. Hafen said the defense fund account was closed and Reid had asked the Senate’s ethics committee how to proceed.

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) received $2,500 in donations from four lobbyists from 2001 to this year. Spokesman Michael DeCesare said three of the four contributions had been returned and one, for $500, was being double-checked because it might have been incorrectly reported.

“We strive for perfection,” DeCesare said. “I would support the contention we do exactly that.” He added that “in a few instances, over a period of five years,” mistakes were made.

Other reports showed that Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) received a lobbyist’s contribution of $3,000 in 1996 and Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.) accepted a $1,000 lobbyist’s donation in 1997.

Hatch spokesman Adam Elggren said the senator’s office was trying to determine whether the contribution came from the lobbyist, as listed in a public report, or from the lobbyist’s company.

Hyde’s spokesman, asked about the contribution, did not immediately comment.