Raleigh-Today, the Hendersonville Times-News quoted Congressman Charles Taylor saying that he refused to give back contributions from indicted Republican lobbyist and felon Jack Abramoff.

"Congressman Charles Taylor of Brevard said he will not give back contributions he received from former Washington lobbyist and now convicted felon Jack Abramoff and his wife.

Tuesday was the first time the veteran Republican lawmaker answered whether he would return the money since a spate of politicians moved to rid themselves of contributions from the once-influential Abramoff who is in the position to finger officials in a federal bribery investigation. Taylor received almost $3,000 from Abramoff and his wife. Taylor, a subcommittee chairman of the powerful appropriations committee, downplayed the amount of Abramoff contributions he received and the media attention the scandal attracted, calling it "the latest news story until it is bumped off by something else."

About returning the money, he said, "I think members are giving back $150,000 and $95,000. I didn't have that kind of contribution from Mr. Abramoff. I didn't ever have any real contact with him. But the $2,750 that he and his wife contributed over a period of six years has been spent, so I won't be giving it back."

The top amount Abramoff and his wife gave to an individual politician, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, was $8,000 to Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va." [Hendersonville Times-News, 1/11/2006]

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"Charles Taylor is the poster child for the Republican culture of corruption. Most Republicans cannot get rid of the tainted Abramoff money fast enough. With supreme arrogance, Charles Taylor now says he won't give up the loot. Taylor is one of the richest members of Congress, and one of the most corrupt," said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek. "Taylor even falsely tries to point the finger to Democrats. Jack Abramoff did not give one cent to Democrats. Period. Once again, Charles Taylor has shown he doesn't share Western North Carolina values. Democrats look forward to returning ethics to Washington."

Henderson County Democratic Party Chair Eva Ritchey said, "It is sad when an elected official dismisses corruption in our highest legislative body as 'the latest news story until it is bumped off by something else.' Our country rests on the teacup of trust and that trust has been broken. What we need now is a solution to this disgrace and accountability not finger pointing. This is a scandal of greed, corruption, and bribery brought to you 100% by the party of family values. Not a single Democrat took money from Jack Abramoff. All of Abramoff's money was given to Republican elected officials or Republican organizations. If President Bush saw the need to return the Abramoff money he received, why doesn't Rep. Charles Taylor?"