The former chief of staff for Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) resigned on Friday amid allegations that she inflated the salary of an ex-staffer as a kickback, The Denver Post reports.

Ginnie Kontnik admits giving the former staffer a "bonus" but suggested Campbell approved the arrangement. Campbell has since referred the charges to the Senate Ethics Committee.

Kontnik denies profiting from the alleged kickback and said she was owed the money for expenses incurred as part of her job. The former staffer quit because he said he felt what he was doing was unethical. He said he was given a "bonus" two years in a row and gave $2,000 for Kontnik one of those years.

Democrats and government watchdogs say Campbell's referral to the Senate panel isn't enough. They want an independent criminal investigation into the charges.

Get the Story:
Wider Campbell office probe urged (The Denver Post 2/23)
Kickback alleged in Campbell office (The Denver Post 2/22)

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

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