Donor tied to Reid is indicted over contributions

[June 07, 2012]  CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- A federal grand jury has indicted a Nevada developer with ties to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on criminal charges related to campaign contributions.

The indictment Wednesday accuses Harvey Whittemore of devising a scheme to solicit campaign contributions from family members and employees in 2007 and skirt federal election law limits by reimbursing them.

Federal Election Commission records show Whittemore, family members and employees of his former company, Wingfield Nevada Group Holding Co., contributing more than $100,000 in a single day to Reid in March 2007.

Reid's office said in February that money donated to the Nevada Democrat has been given to charity.

Two other lawmakers from Nevada, Republican Sen. Dean Heller and Democratic congresswoman Shelley Berkley, have also said they would donate money received from Whittemore.

[Associated Press; By SANDRA CHEREB]

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