Campaign funds used for legal fees

WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- Former and current members of Congress have spent millions in campaign funds fighting criminal and ethics charges, USA Today reported Friday.

In the last 27 months covered by campaign finance records, two dozen former and current members of Congress spent more than $5 million in campaign funds on legal fees, it was reported.

Using campaign funds to pay lawyers is legitimate as long as the allegations of wrongdoing relate to conduct in office, the Federal Election Commission said.

The biggest spender was Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. His campaign has paid nearly $1 million to law firms fighting the Justice Department's investigation of his relationship with lobbyists.

Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif., whose home recently was searched by the FBI, spent $149,200 and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., spent $91,900 defending himself against an investigation of a real estate deal.

Former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., who resigned last fall amid allegations of sexual advances to congressional pages, has paid his lawyers $253,768 from his campaign fund since December, USA Today reported.