Don Young: The Million Dollar Man

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Congratulations to Rep. Don Young’s (R-AK) lawyers, who, working together, have exceeded one million dollars in billings!

But don’t worry: Young’s campaign contributors are the ones bearing the burden. Young’s spokesperson put the word out on Friday, in anticipation of Young’s upcoming quarterly report to the FEC.

Due to $213,000 in legal fees paid out by the campaign in the first quarter of this year, Young’s campaign has now paid out more than $1.1 million in fees. Only Rep. Jerry Lewis’ (R-CA) campaign has achieved a similar feat.

Unfortunately, Young paid out more in legal fees than he raised in that quarter (just $164,000). Young started up a legal defense fund early this year to help handle his legal costs.

And what are all those lawyers (there are three different firms) doing for their money? Don’t ask Young, or:

Young has consistently refused to detail what he might be under investigation for or even who is investigating him. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Young was under scrutiny for his ties to the mucked-up oil company Veco. Other than that, things have remained unclear. In a press conference with Alaskan journalists earlier this year, Young was more than a little impatient with reporters who pushed him for details.

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