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

Related Stories:
Campbell letter pushed for award of $1.2M contract (03/18)
Udall drops short bid for Campbell's Senate seat (3/11)
Mark Udall to seek Campbell's open Senate seat (3/10)
Indian senator a man of contradictions (3/5)
Ben Nighthorse Campbell ending Senate run (3/5)
Campbell 'relieved' to be leaving U.S. Senate (3/4)
Campbell remembered as independent politician (3/4)
Editorial: Campbell true to form -- he has none (3/4)
Editorial: Campbell never forgot his Indian roots (3/4)
Democrat chides Campbell for being 1/16th Indian (3/1)
Campbell treated at hospital for chest pains (2/27)
Campbell's office center of possible criminal probe (2/25)
Ex-aide suggests Campbell approved kickback (2/23)
Campbell's remarks on casino stir Democrats (01/19)
Campbell reiterates opposition to 'Sand Creek' casino (1/16)
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes cite support for Colo. casino (1/15)
Harjo: Secrets of the Sand Creek land purchase (12/22)
Democrat lawyer to challenge Campbell in '04 (09/24)
Democrats seek candidate to challenge Campbell (08/06)
Report: Campbell fails to meet fundraising goal (07/15)
Democrats don't want Campbell to run in 2004 (06/23)
Campbell, Inouye disclose financial worth (6/17)
Spokesperson: Campbell ready for 2004 campaign (04/16)
In the Loop: Campbell wants top Olympic post (03/19)