Rep. Blunt's fund will donate Abramoff contributions to charity

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Roy Blunt's political action committee will donate to charity $8,500 in contributions received from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Republican said Wednesday.

Blunt, the acting GOP House majority leader, was among more than a dozen lawmakers who moved to distance themselves from Abramoff a day after he pleaded guilty in Washington to mail fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion charges.

As part of the plea agreement, Abramoff agreed to tell investigators about alleged bribes to lawmakers and their aides in a wide-ranging inquiry involving the lobbyist.

Blunt spokeswoman Burson Taylor said the executive director of Blunt's Rely On Your Beliefs fund would recommend that the board donate all Abramoff funds received between 1999 and 2003 to a charity.

"While we firmly believe the contributions were legal at the time of receipt, the plea indicates that such contributions may not have been given in the spirit in which they were received," Taylor said.

Taylor said the charity had not yet been chosen.

Abramoff also pleaded guilty in Miami on Wednesday to separate federal charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.

Blunt joined President Bush and dozens of other lawmakers, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who have announced plans to donate Abramoff's campaign contributions to charity.

Blunt has not been connected to any of the charges against Abramoff or his associates.

So-called "leadership" PACs like Blunt's allow politicians to raise money and make political donations, but doesn't allow them to spend money on themselves.

Politicians often use leadership PACs to raise their stature and gain influence that can translate into support during future leadership contests or bids for higher office.

Other Missouri lawmakers have also moved to return funds linked to Abramoff.

Last year, Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., returned a $2,000 contribution that Abramoff made to his 2002 Senate campaign and a $1,000 contribution that Abramoff's former law firm made to his re-election campaign.

Federal records show that Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., received at least $12,500 from Abramoff or political action committees connected to the lobbyist. Bond's office had no immediate comment Wednesday on whether the senator plans to give up any of the funds.