American Notes ETHICS

He may be a U.S. Senator, but Minnesota Republican Dave Durenberger is not known as a best-selling author. So why did his books on health care and national-security policy show such a hefty profit?

Apparently because the Senator arranged for $200,000 in fees for speeches he delivered in 1985 and 1986 to be paid to his publisher, Minneapolis-based Piranha Press. Piranha in turn gave Durenberger $100,000 for promoting his books, even though several sponsors have said the books were not displayed or sold during the Senator's appearances.

Durenberger insists he cleared the deal through the Federal Election Commission and has broken no Senate rules. But the Senate ethics committee is investigating whether he used the arrangement to launder his speaking fees.