NEW YORK, NY January 05, 2006 —Some New York lawmakers are returning political contributions in light of the scandal surrounding the once powerful Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff. WNYC's Kathryn Herzog reports.

There have been no New York members of Congress implicated in any wrongdoing. Still, several are getting rid of donations from American Indian tribes that were Abramoff clients to avoid any link to the scandal.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign says it will contribute $2,000 to a New York charity. Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey will also return $2,000 she received from Abramoff client tribes for the 2004 election. Republican Congressman John Sweeney will also send his $2,000 to charity. Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel of Harlem received $36,000 from Abramoff clients, but says he's keeping the money. A Rangel spokesman says Abramoff's guilty pleas won't affect the congressman's decision.