Sources: Prosecutors Look At Abramoff-Doolittle Ties - Yahoo! News

Washington D.C. lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty in Florida Wednesday to charges of conspiracy and wire fraud, but the most serious charges surrounding Abramoff involve the accusations that he bribed a dozen members of Congress.

Prosecutors said they've worked out a plea bargain with Abramoff in which he could get less jail time if he starts naming names. One person that news reports have repeatedly linked to Abramoff is Rep. John Doolittle (news, bio, voting record) -- a Republican from Roseville.

Officials from Doolittle's office said Wednesday that he and Abramoff are friends. They pointed out that the congressman has not been charged with any crime. However, sources close to the investigation say Doolittle is one of the politicians that prosecutors will be focusing most closely on.

No one was available to comment at Doolittle's office in Granite Bay, but a spokesperson in Washington, D.C., said that Doolittle is encouraged that the investigation is moving forward.

"Because the faster the truth is revealed, the faster our constituents will know that Congressman Doolittle has done absolutely nothing wrong," said Doolittle spokeswoman Laura Blackann.

Campaign finance records show that Doolittle has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Abramoff and his clients. Doolittle's wife, Julie, runs a business that was hired to plan an event for one of Abramoff's foundations. And Doolittle reportedly used Abramoff's skybox at a Washington sports arena.

Those connections may give federal prosecutors the beginnings of a case, according to political science professor John Syer.

"They can subpoena those people, and they can ask about the contacts and eventually say, 'Well, did any of the actions of the congressman change as a result of these ongoing relationships?'" Syer said.

First elected to congress in 1990, Doolittle is known as one of the house's most conservative members.

Fellow Republican Mike Holmes -- currently the mayor of Auburn -- plans to challenge Doolittle in a primary this summer. He said that the congressman's connections to Abramoff are already helping his campaign.

"Because people are starting to take a closer look at John Doolittle's record," Holmes said.

Congressmen and senators from both parties received money from Abramoff, as did President George W. Bush.

While none of the politicians is saying that the money amounted to bribes, several said they plan to give the money back or donate it to charity.

Doolittle's office said he has not yet decided if he will do the same.