Doolittle corruption case dropped
By Michael Doyle, McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — A Justice Department corruption investigation that helped drive John Doolittle from office has now been closed without charges being filed, the former Sacramento, Calif.-area congressman said Friday.
“I’m thrilled,” Doolittle said in an interview. “They’ve dragged this thing out for six and a half years.”
Doolittle’s relief, though, is tinged with bitterness at how he believes the Justice Department has mistreated him. He says he accumulated $600,000 in attorneys fees, some of which he was able to pay with campaign funds. The lingering investigation hindered his ability to find work. In the beginning, he said, it proved “very devastating” to his high school-aged daughter.