Rep.'s money goes to charity

What started as a political charge has turned into a boon for the Boys & Girls Club in Dale City.

Republican congressional candidate Keith Fimian on Wednesday challenged Rep. Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly to return $7,000 he received in 2008 from fellow Democratic congressman Charles Rangel.

The New York lawmaker this week temporarily stepped down from his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee while he's being investigated on ethics charges.

"Gerry Connolly should immediately return all funds he accepted from Rangel," Fimian said in a prepared statement, adding that other congressmen had done so.

Rather than give the money back, though, Connolly, who represents much of Prince William County, had another idea.

He toured the Hylton Boys & Girls Club in Dale City last month and learned that the charity needed about $9,000 to buy new computers, Connolly spokesman George Burke said Friday.

So the congressman is taking the $7,000 and adding another $2,000 from his campaign fund to pay for about 10 computers.

"It was an opportune time to be able to assist the Boys & Girls Club," Burke said.

John Walvius, vice president of the club's regional board of directors, said Friday that he had no knowledge of the political situation surrounding Rangel.

He was just glad that Connolly was helping to replace the computers at the club, used for homework and other educational needs.

"They have been there for a number of years, and they're dated, they're used," he said.

Though Fimian, a Fairfax County businessman, was criticizing Connolly, he has another immediate challenge.

That's Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity. The two will square off in a June 8 primary for the GOP nomination in the 11th District, which spans parts of Prince William and Fairfax counties.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also hit Fimian on Friday for contributing to another politician under fire.

Fimian gave $2,500 to former Rep. Rick Renzi in the 2003-04 election cycle, according to campaign finance disclosures.

Renzi, an Arizona Republican, will stand trial March 16 on charges of fraud, money laundering and extortion, according to DCCC spokesman Jesse Ferguson.

Fimian campaign manager Tim Edson, however, issued a statement noting that his candidate donated to Renzi years before Renzi was accused of wrongdoing while Connolly recently voted against removing Rangel as chairman of Ways and Means.

"Keith Fimian donated $500 to Rick Renzi June 30, 2003, and another $2,000 on October 16, 2004. Renzi's legal troubles did not arise until February 22, 2008," Edson said. "The fact that the DCCC can't distinguish the difference says it all."

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.