Ethics panel: No violations for Rep. Don Young (AP)

WASHINGTON ? The House Ethics Committee has concluded that Republican Don Young of Alaska did not receive improper donations to a legal defense fund.

The committee said Tuesday that 12 corporations owned and operated by the same seven peole each made the maximum $5,000 contribution ? for a total of $60,000.

The ethics panel said this is allowed because each company was a distinct legal entity in Louisiana. The companies provide different services or products to the maritime industry.

The committee said it is revising the rules, starting next year, to impose new contribution limits on owners who run multiple companies. In the Young case, with seven owners for the 12 contributing companies, the maximum would be $35,000 ? or $5,000 per owner.

A federal investigation of Young was dropped last year.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/uscongress/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111221/ap_on_go_co/us_young_ethics

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