The wife of Rep. John Doolittle (R-California), the congressman has defended Jack Abramoff, started a firm whose only major clients are linked to the disgraced lobbyist, The San Diego Union Tribune reports.

Julie Doolittle founded Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions in March 2001, shortly after her husband won a seat on the House Appropriations Committee. The firm helps steer campaign contributions to Doolittle -- Julie receives a 15 percent commission on each one.

But beyond helping her husband, Julie had few other clients. The only publicly known clients were Greenberg Traurig, Abramoff's old law firm, Signatures, Abramoff's old restaurant in Washington, and a group founded by a former chief of staff to Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who is in legal limbo over his ties to Abramoff.

As a result of her and her husband's connections to Abramoff and DeLay, Julie has been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice. Investigators want records of her work for one of Abramoff's charities.

Get the Story:
Congressman Doolittle, wife profited from Cunningham-linked contractor (The San Diego Union-Tribune 3/19)
Investigation has DeLay stuck in legal limbo (The Houston Chronicle 3/20)

Relevant Links:
Rep. John Doolittle - http://www.house.gov/doolittle

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