Rush says he's being investigated by ethics group

Congressman Bobby Rush says the Office of Congressional Ethics is targeting him with an investigation that he says is based on published reports questioning spending by his campaign fund and the handling of a $1 million grant.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the "Citizens for Rush" campaign fund has paid $5,000 to a law firm for the ethics inquiry. The Chicago Democrat says he's been cooperative with investigators.

Attorney Scott Thomas told the Sun-Times he assumes the investigation stems from stories published by the newspaper that looking into campaign fund spending and the use of funds intended for a tech center.

An ethics office spokesman declined to comment on the Rush inquiry.

In December, the Sun-Times reported Rush had little to show for a nonprofit he founded in Englewood.