Oxendine Ethics Probe Lingers On

ATLANTA (AP) - Opponents of Republican John Oxendine are using an ethics probe involving insurance industry contributions to cast an ethical cloud over his campaign for governor.

Dan McLagan, a spokesman for Republican Karen Handel, calls Oxendine “the Rod Blagojevich of Georgia politics.”

Nathan Deal spokesman Brian Robinson says Oxendine’s explanation that he knew nothing about the money was unbelieveable.

At issue are $120,000 in donations to Oxendine’s campaign from State Mutual Insurance Company and the Admiral Life Insurance Company which were funneled through 10 Alabama-based political action committees. The state ethics commission launched a hearing but the insurance companies have fired back with a legal challenge saying the panel os politically motivated.