Jeffords, Leahy received funds from donors linked to Abramoff

By Shay Totten | Vermont Guardian

posted January 25, 2006

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article is an updated version of a story originally posted Jan. 24 on this website.

WASHINGTON — The names of Vermont Sens. Jim Jeffords and Patrick Leahy appear on two lists of politicians who received money from clients and associates of lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Top aides say these contributions were not illegal, nor do they signify any direct link to the scandal currently swirling in the nation’s capital.

One list was printed in the conservative Washington Times and the other on the website of the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics (CRP).

Independent research by the Vermont Guardian found that much of the donations included on these lists came from clients or associates who were not represented by Abramoff or working with him at the time of the donation.

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