CHARITY’S TIES TO REP. DELAY

The U.S. Family Network, a now-defunct charity with close ties to Congressman Tom DeLay, received most of its contributions from companies whose interests coincided with Mr. DeLay’s legislative activities, reports The Washington Post. Most of the donors, including Russian oil and gas executives and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, were also connected to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is under investigation for illegal lobbying activities. The charity’s purpose has also been called into question, as it was set up in 1996 to advocate conservative policies but spent only a small portion of its money on advocacy or education. A spokesman for Mr. DeLay has denied that the donations influenced the congressman’s political decisions.