A lawyer for ex-Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) has announced that the Justice Department has ended its criminal inquiry into Burns' association with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
According to the Missoulian:
Burns accepted about $150,000 in contributions from Abramoff, his clients and associates, more than any other member of Congress. He later gave the money away.
Abramoff's sentencing in the Capitol Hill influence-peddling case has been delayed because he is helping federal prosecutors look into his dealings with lawmakers. He is serving prison time for an unrelated fraudulent casino deal.
The Abramoff controversy played a large role in Burns' re-election bid in 2006, which he lost by less than 1 percent of the vote. Now-Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., hammered home the ethics theme throughout the race.
Tester's office declined to comment on the close of the investigation.
"From the get-go, I did not lose faith in the system, as I knew justice would prevail when I offered complete cooperation with the government's inquiry," Burns said Wednesday afternoon.
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