Grand Jury to Hear Rep. Burton’s Accuser

Mark A. Siegel, the lobbyist who said he was “shaken down” by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), and his employee, Brian Sailer, will testify about the matter before a grand jury next Wednesday as the Justice Department moves quickly to follow up allegations of campaign funding abuse. According to Siegel, Burton threatened him with loss of business if he didn’t raise at least $5,000 from Pakistani Americans. Siegel, a longtime Democratic activist, is a former lobbyist for the government of Pakistan. Burton is chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, which is investigating Democratic campaign fund-raising.