AP:

GOP Rep. John Doolittle's two top aides have been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury investigating ties between Doolittle, his wife and jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

The grand jury subpoenas from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia were issued to Chief of Staff Ron Rogers and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Blankenburg. They were announced on the House floor as Congress returned from its August recess Tuesday after the aides informed the House speaker about the subpoenas, as required under House rules.

Doolittle, R-Calif., said in a statement that the aides would testify before the grand jury this week "with hopes of putting the matter to an end."[..]

Doolittle has numerous ties to Abramoff, including accepting campaign cash from the lobbyist and intervening on behalf of Abramoff's Indian tribe clients. Doolittle considered Abramoff a good friend.

Abramoff's lobbying firm also paid Julie Doolittle's Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions Inc., a near-monthly $5,000 retainer from September 2002 to February 2004, mostly to work on a fundraiser that was canceled in March 2003. Sierra Dominion's records were subpoenaed by the Abramoff grand jury in 2004.

Blue America is supporting Charlie Brown for Doolittle's seat. Please consider helping Charlie bring ethics back to Congress.