Feds bring charges against 90-something Seattle strip club mogul with rap sheet dating to ’40s

SEATTLE — At 92, Frank Colacurcio Sr. shows little sign of slowing down in a life of crime that began back in the FDR administration with a statutory rape conviction.

Federal election panel considers Sen. John Kerry’s request to invest campaign cash in movie

WASHINGTON — Federal election officials will have a hand in writing the script on Sen. John Kerry’s plans to become a movie producer.

Former Georgia congressman Swindall indicted in alleged campaign contribution scheme

ATLANTA — A former Georgia congressman has been charged with conspiracy and telling lies in an alleged campaign contribution scheme linked to a 2005 Atlanta city council election.

Watchdog group asks Senate Ethics Committee and FEC to investigate Ensign affair

WASHINGTON — A watchdog group alleged Wednesday that Sen. John Ensign violated the Senate’s ethics rules by engaging in an affair with a campaign aide who was married to his administrative assistant, then terminating their employment.

From fundraising to Facebook, Obama’s methods are tested in governor’s races

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — President Barack Obama sent an e-mail endorsing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds to hundreds of thousands of Obama supporters in Virginia last week, the latest indication that the lessons of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign are playing out in key state races in 2009.

Analysis: Republicans closer to turning tables on Democrats over ethical conduct

WASHINGTON — The revelation that Democratic appropriations kingpins may face an ethics investigation of their campaign donations moves Republicans closer to gaining a corruption issue in 2010.

House ethics panel reviewing campaign donations from recipients of pet projects

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers who steer money and contracts to favored companies and receive campaign contributions in return could face a House ethics committee investigation.

Wife of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich portrayed as plucky, well-liked mom on reality TV show

CHICAGO — Once she was the first lady of Illinois. Now Patti Blagojevich is gagging down bugs and crawling through tropical slime in a race to be named Queen of the Jungle on a reality TV show.

AP News in Brief

Militants attack Pakistan army HQ, take hostages ahead of offensive close to Afghan border

Grand jury subpoenas records of Rep. Visclosky’s campaign committee and congressional office

WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury has subpoenaed a Democratic congressman in a corruption probe, the first concrete indication that a long-simmering Justice Department investigation of a top lobbying firm also has the potential to seriously damage congressional careers.

Prosecutor accuses former major Democratic fundraiser of illegal donations

NEW YORK — A federal prosecutor in New York City has accused former top Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu (SHU) of forcing others to make illegal political contributions.

Leahy to return $1,000 Citigroup campaign donation

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., will return a $1,000 campaign donation from Citigroup, the banking giant that has received $45 billion in federal bailout money.