An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife

An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife: "An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife

Wednesday, April 19, 2006; Page A16

In the April 16 Sunday Politics column, 'Donations for a Congressman, Profits for His Wife,' Thomas B. Edsall and Zachary A. Goldfarb reported that Julie Doolittle, wife of Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), had formed a fundraising company whose clients include her husband's campaign committee and his leadership PAC. Mr. Doolittle's spokesman said the company's 'compensation is based entirely upon performance in that it receives a percentage of what it is directly involved in raising.' He said the arrangement was 'consistent' with that of other fundraisers, that 'having family members paid for such work is both legal and ethical' and that it meets with the approval of the House ethics committee as long as 'compensation is consistent with the market rate.'"