WASHINGTON-The Federal Election Commission earlier this month gave Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) the go-ahead to use campaign funds to sue Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) for allegedly leaking politically sensitive contents of an intercepted cell phone call to the news media.
The House Ethics Committee previously approved of Boehner using campaign money to defray legal costs.
Boehner, the fourth-ranking House Republican, used his mobile phone in 1997 on a conference call with House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and other GOP leaders to discuss damage control of the House ethics investigation of Gingrich that was nearing completion.
The call was intercepted and recorded by a Florida couple, John and Alice Martin. The Martins pleaded guilty to eavesdropping with a radio scanner. Each paid $500 in fines for the federal offense.
Boehner has said he plans to sue McDermott and possibly others for allegedly divulging transcripts of the call to the press while serving as ranking minority member of the House ethics panel that was investigating Gingrich.
If he wins his lawsuit, Boehner reportedly plans to donate the money to charity.
