Donovan speaks out about federal probe

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A defiant Rep. Chris Donovan said he won't quit his campaign for the 5th Congressional seat, five days after a top aide was arrested in connection with a federal investigation into campaign finance violations.

"It makes me sick," Donovan.

Rep. Donovan, the Speaker of the House, insists he had no part in the criminal case, and that and has no intention of leaving his post or quitting his congressional campaign.

"I did not know about it at anytime during the legislative session," Donovan said.

"All I can do is emphatically re-assure the voters that I've done nothing wrong."

Donovan's former finance director, Robert Braddock Jr., was arrested Wednesday after being accused of hiding the source of $20,000 in campaign contributions.

When Donovan was asked how could he not have known, he answered "Uh ... I didn't know, and that is why I replaced my staff."

The affidavit states the illegal contribution was aiming to shoot down the tobacco tax.

"No one bought my involvement, my position, or my influence on the roll-your-own legislation or any other, period," he said.

But he didn't take on every question, with campaign spokesman Gabe Rosenberg saying "it would be inappropriate to answer questions about the ongoing investigation," and later asking "does anybody have any questions that are not related to the ongoing investigation".

So how will the campaign fill the post of head of campaign contributions? "We're going to clearly do some due diligence on whoever we hire as our new finance director," Campaign Manger Tom Swan said.

Donovan has recused himself when it comes to the tobacco tax legislation. He also recognized the fact this scandal may hurt some support in his race for Congress.