Retiring Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) and his staff have been investigated four times for alleged ethical or conflict-of-interest lapses, The Denver Post reports.

None of the investigations have resulted in criminal charges, the paper says. But the Justice Department has launched a criminal probe into Campbell's former chief of staff who allegedly forced a subordinate into a $2,000 kickback scheme. The probe is also focusing on whether Campbell and his staff tried to steer a $1.15 million federal contract to a Colorado firm.

Campbell "and his staff have a history of playing fast and loose with the ethics rules," Gary Ruskin of the Congressional Accountability Project told the paper.

Campbell announced his retirement shortly after news of the latest investigation surfaced.

Get the Story:
Ethics queries dog Campbell (The Denver Post 5/16)
Firm in Campbell scandal drops lawyers (The Denver Post 5/14)

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

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