Political Insider

"A former campaign aide of U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry has been indicted on charges of felony voter fraud," according to the Hickory Daily Record. Michael Aaron Lay was "charged last week with illegally casting ballots in two elections during the 2004 congressional race involving McHenry."

Roll Call reports that well-placed political operatives in the 10th district believe that McHenry's "current woes likely are politically motivated. But retribution in this case, they claim, is an inside job, political payback three years in the making by disgruntled local Republicans, who are split on the up-and-coming GOP bomb-thrower who has become so familiar to C-SPAN viewers."

"More than a dozen sitting and former House Members -- including at least two who do not appear to be under investigation -- made significant legal payments from their campaign accounts in the first three months of the year," reports Roll Call.

Rep. Don Young (R-AK) shelled out $25,000 in legal fees to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Rep. Jerry Weller (R-IL) also reported paying $29,000 to Wiley Rein.

"Last year's ethics committee investigation into ex-Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) cost a handful of lawmakers hefty legal bills during the first quarter of 2007." Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) "reported six payments totaling $70,000 to McKenna Long & Aldridge."

Last week, House Democrats received a letter from emattled Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) asking colleagues to donate money to help him retire his campaign debt.

From the letter:

"As you know, I recently won a grueling race for re-election. In order to get our message out and otherwise compete, we incurred over $200,000 in debt. Therefore, I would deeply appreciate it if you would assist me in retiring my debt by contributing $1,000 (or whatever amount you can afford) to my campaign."

Unfortunately, the congressman -- who is under federal investigation and has yet to answer why federal agents found $90,000 in his freezer -- violated House ethics rules by using his official Congressional stationery to raise campaign money.