Justice denies Hastert target of probe

WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- The Justice Department denied an ABC News report that the FBI is looking at U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert in the congressional lobbying investigation.

But ABC News stuck by its guns Wednesday, and its Web site said despite the public denial "law enforcement sources tell ABC News, the congressional bribery investigation has now expanded to include the speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert."

Citing "high-level government sources," ABC said on its Web site the FBI is acting on information from convicted lobbyists cooperating with the investigation.

A spokesman for the Illinois Republican said his office was unaware of any FBI scrutiny, ABC said.

At least part of the investigation centers on a letter written by Hastert to the secretary of interior asking that a casino on an Indian reservation be blocked. The casino would have competed with other Indian casinos represented by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is said to have told the FBI about his dealings with Hastert, ABC said.

The network said the Hastert letter was sent shortly after a fundraiser for Hastert at a restaurant owned by Abramoff, which netted $26,000 from Abramoff and his clients.

When Abramoff was indicted, Hastert denied any wrongdoing and said he would donate to charity any campaign contribution he had received from Abramoff and his clients.

A Hastert spokesman told ABC the speaker has a "history and a well-documented record of opposing Indian reservation shopping for casino gaming purposes."