WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department is not focusing on Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada as part of an investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a source close to the probe said Wednesday in challenging a published report.
The source, who requested anonymity, said the Justice Department is leading the investigation, which includes other agencies.
"But the Justice Department does not have a list of lawmakers who are being investigated," the source said.
The Washington Times reported Wednesday that Reid is on a "first tier" of five lawmakers who are the focus of a Justice Department probe of Abramoff.
The newspaper attributed its information to an unnamed source who is working with the Justice Department.
The other lawmakers mentioned included Sens. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Reps. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., and Bob Ney, R-Ohio.
A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on the Washington Times story.
"The department has not and will not discuss individuals who have not been charged," Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra said.
I had posted on the Washington Times story here previously.
It is interesting that Reid is mentioned, specifically, as not being a target but no mention is made of the other lawmakers. At this point, though, it is all speculation. There is no doubt in my mind that Dorgan's dealings with Abramoff are being checked out (along with a lot of other politicians), but whether or not there will be any charges is another matter altogether.