Griffith Moves to Distance Himself From Rangel Donations

Party-switching Rep. Parker Griffith (R-Ala.) on Tuesday cut a $7,000 check to a local veterans memorial foundation in an effort to distance himself from campaign donations he received from scandal-tinged Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.).

The National Republican Congressional Committee has called on Democratic Members to return Rangel’s past contributions to their campaigns amid the ethics investigations that led the New York Congressman to step down as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. But Griffith’s financial connection to Rangel wasn’t brought to light until local press asked the Congressman about two donations from Rangel — which came during the 2008 cycle, when Griffith was a Democrat — at a fundraiser that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) held for the Alabama Congressman on Monday.

Griffith spokeswoman Heather Johnson said Tuesday evening that after the $2,000 donation from Rangel and $5,000 donation from Rangel’s political action committee were brought to Griffith’s attention, the Congressman decided to cut the check to the Madison County Veterans Memorial Foundation.

According to a report from WAFF News in Alabama on Monday, Boehner appeared to indicate that he would leave it up to Griffith whether to return the money.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/44029-1.html?type=printer_friendly