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Politics
Campbell pins corruption probe on former top aide


Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) says his former top aide is solely to blame for a federal probe into alleged corruption at his office.

Campbell disclosed on Friday that the Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into an alleged kickback and an alleged contracting scheme. The chargers center on former chief of staff Ginnie Kontnik.

Kontnik is alleged to have demanded a $2,000 kickback from a lower-level staff member. She has told The Denver Post that Campbell was aware of the deal but he denies approving it.

Kontnik is alleged to have tried to force a $1.2 million federal contract to be awarded to a Colorado firm linked to a high-profile law and lobbying firm. She denies any involvement whatsoever. Campbell claims he never wrote a letter seeking the contract but he tried to push the White House to award the contract.

Get the Story:
Campbell blames aide for inquiry (The Denver Post 5/9)
Justice Department investigating former Campbell aide (The Denver Post 5/8)
Former aide of Campbell investigated (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 5/8)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell - http://campbell.senate.gov

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