Calif. Congressman resigns committee post after home searched in corruption probe

Rep. John Doolittle temporarily leaves Appropriations Committee as FBI investigates wife's fundraising business and ties to Jack Abramoff.
From Associated Press

2:12 PM PDT, April 19, 2007

Rep. John Doolittle, whose house was searched by the FBI in an influence-peddling investigation, said today he will step down temporarily from the House Appropriations Committee.

The announcement by the nine-term California Republican came one day after the disclosure that agents had raided his home in Oakton, Va. In the search last Friday, the FBI had a warrant for information connected with a fundraising business run by Doolittle's wife, Julie, that had done work for convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

"I understand how the most recent circumstances may lead some to question my tenure on the Appropriations Committee," Doolittle wrote House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

"Therefore, I feel it may be in the best interest of the House that I take a temporary leave with seniority from this committee until this matter can be resolved."

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