No charges on allegation of prostitute bribe for pipeline

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa prosecutor has decided not to file charges over allegations that a land agent offered to hire a prostitute for a landowner if he would allow an oil pipeline company access to his land.

Lee County Attorney Mike Short told The Des Moines Register (http://dmreg.co/1icbRb9 ) on Monday there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute. He says it's likely the landowner set up a meeting with the agent in order to embarrass the pipeline company.

The proposed pipeline would carry 450,000 barrels daily from North Dakota production sites to a hub in Illinois. The company, Energy Transfer Partners, had said it was investigating the allegation about the agent, who the company said was working for a contractor.

The Iowa Utilities Board is scheduled to begin pipeline hearings on Nov. 12.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com