Doolittle donors include House leader, candidate for his seat

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Congressman John Doolittle collected nearly $35,000 in his legal defense fund during the fourth quarter of last year, including contributions from a potential candidate to replace him, former Congressman Doug Ose.

Doolittle, who’s under investigation in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, announced this month that he would retire at the end of the year rather than seek a 10th term in the House.

Ose donated $2,000 to Doolittle’s legal fund, according to a filing Wednesday, and another $2,000 from his family business, Enlow Ose & Associates. Doolittle also got $5,000 from House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio.

The filing period covered in Wednesday’s report ended before Doolittle announced his retirement plans.