Reign of Scandals Slow to End, GOPers Worry

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February 09, 2007 11:48 AM

House Republicans worry the long storm of congressional scandals may not be over for them, news out of Washington indicates.

Facing a federal investigation into a pair of his real estate deals, Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., went before a group of his fellow GOP members Wednesday to declare his innocence, according to "The Hill" newspaper, which has detailed his troubles for months.

Federal prosecutors are probing whether Miller failed to pay taxes on income from land deals.  His spokesman, Scott Toussaint, told ABC News the charges were "entirely incorrect."

"Congressman Miller is tired of all the rumor and innuendo," Toussaint said. "He spoke before the Republican conference to personally assure his colleagues that these charges are baseless and have no merit whatsoever."

Also of reported concern to Republicans is a federal investigation into Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif. The probe, an offshoot of the Randy "Duke" Cunningham scandal, was first reported last July. "The Los Angeles Times" revealed that prosecutors suspect Lewis of steering millions in taxpayer money to clients of favored lobbyists.

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The congressman's office did not return a call for comment, but he has previously denied the charges.

An investigation into another serving House Republican is showing signs of renewed activity. New documents have been handed over to a grand jury in the case of Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., who's facing scrutiny for misusing his influence to pump up the value of land he owned and later sold, according to California's Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

Calvert's office declined to comment today; in the past he has denied wrongdoing in the affair.