(AP) — Former Illinois congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in 2019 paid a $40,000 fine for allegedly making misleading statements to federal agents about a loan and failing to disclose it on ethics forms.
The Department of Justice disclosed the fine late Wednesday while discussing a California case unconnected to LaHood that concerned illegal political contributions.
That case involved Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury, who is prohibited from making political contributions because he isn't a U.S. citizen. LaHood denied to FBI agents he received a $50,000 loan from Chagoury through an intermediary.
Authorities say LaHood was suffering financial difficulties at the time.
Ray LaHood is the father of current Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood. The elder LaHood is a Republican but worked for Democratic President Barack Obama and endorsed Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election and not incumbent Republican Donald Trump.
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