The Senate Finance Committee opened an investigation into disgraced Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff to determine whether non-profit organizations were used to finance trips for lawmakers.

The committee asked for records of Abramoff's Capital Athletic Foundation. Abramoff solicited tribes to donate to the charity, saying it would impress House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas).

The committee also requested information about the National Center for Public Policy Research, where Abramoff was a board member. The center sponsored overseas trips for DeLay and other lawmakers for which Abramoff secured financing from tribes and other clients, The Washington Post reported.

The committee has jurisdiction over tax-exempt organizations.

Get the Story:
Probe of Abramoff and Nonprofits' Money Opens (The Washington Post 3/17)
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President Supports DeLay as Investigations Widen (The New York Times 3/17)
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