Reply #22: AK: Lawyer Advised Young's Silence [View All]

[livvy]

Lawyer advised Young's silence
EXPENSES: Dowd's firm has been paid from campaign funds.

By SEAN COCKERHAM
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Published: February 23rd, 2008 12:32 AM
Last Modified: February 23rd, 2008 05:26 AM

A heavy-hitting Washington, D.C., lawyer emerged Friday to publicly defend Alaska Congressman Don Young from criticism that he's not coming clean on his legal bills.

Young is running for re-election and has repeatedly refused to say how he spent $854,045 in campaign funds on legal fees last year. John Dowd, an attorney who specializes in representing high-profile politicians in legal trouble, told the Daily News on Friday that Young is doing what he told him to.

Young himself still wasn't talking Friday. He was scheduled to have a news conference in Wasilla but canceled it after his staffers tried to ban Daily News reporters from attending and the reporters refused to leave.

Young has been under investigation for his ties to Veco Corp., for fundraising activities and for his role in specific congressional earmarks, according to various media reports. He has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Gov. Sarah Palin said Thursday that Young owes the public an explanation for why he's spending people's campaign contributions on legal expenses.

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http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/323257.html