about his long time relationship with jeff thompson. orange was responding to published reports when he produced records of 26 money orders that went to his campaigns from thompson contacts. >> what is it about these money orders that arouse suspicion? >> there may be ten in the serial numbers are all running the same sequence. >> meaning they were bought at the same time? >> bought at the same time. however, the name may have been from georgia. so that would raise a suspicion. >> talk about fraud? >> i'm not going to make that determination. >> they were bought in bundles at the exact same few places, like the u.s. post office and western union offices. jeff thompson gave more money to vincent orange than to any other council member, but he did give money to every council member with the exception of tommy wells. they are now re-examining their own campaign contributions from jeff thompson. especially the money orders. >> i mean clearly, we'll look at as we move forward. it seems to be something that is out of control. >> council chairm

i did receive contributions of. >> reporter: jeff thompson's home and offices have been raided by the fbi and irs who are trying to determine if thompson used money orders and straw donors to cover up illegal campaign contributions. >> these investigations overhanging everything have put everybody on edge and i think until they get resolved one way or the other they're going to affect our ability to get things done. >> reporter: the d.c. council tomorrow will consider emergency legislation to limit campaign money orders to $25. it's the same limit placed on cash donations. bruce johnson, 9 news now. >> jeff thompson and his attorney are refusing to comment on the federal investigation as well. >>> d.c. police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to find a killer in northeast d.c. a man was stabbed in a bar called the library on 12th street near the catholic university campus. he was rushed to the hospital where doctors were unable to save him. the attack happened early sunday morning. the victim's name is not being released until family members are contacted. police say anyone with

he had worked with jeff thompson in the past and as many others have and did not suspect anything wrong until the report reveal aid connection to thompson who orange said he hasn't spoke to recently. >> reporter: i just, the documents that i have, i made available. >> reporter: i talked to other council members who don't accept donations personally and usually leave it up to campaign staff members. if they receive money heard -- orders, it's rare. he said he did everything he was supposed to and that he will return any donation determined legal. >>> another big night for the republican presidential candidate. they cast their ballots. the poor contest carries implications and important delegates as the hopefuls who vow to continue to fight for the nomination. craig bosswell is live with more. >> reporter: good evening. 119 delegates up for gabs -- grabs this evening. it's the southern primaries, alabama and mississippi, that could change the course of the race going forward. alabama and mississippi hold the largest delegate prices of the day. >> this is a battle for the soul of america.

attorney's office is looking into all the campaign finance stuff involving jeff thompson. so it doesn't surprise me that everyone would be looked at. >> reporter: jeff thompson raised money for many d.c. politicians. his business has a huge contract with the city and his home and office were raided by federal authorities a few weeks ago. >> i think he gave us about nine checks at 1 campaign or something like that. so we've got very little money from jeff thompson. >> my guess is that every campaign in 2004, '06, '08 and '10 whether a person won or lost probably got one of these of. >> reporter: across the hall council member marion barry refused to answer if he'd received a subpoena. >> i'm not going to say anything about anything while this investigation is going on. >> reporter: not a simple yes or no? >> reporter: meanwhile sources say one major reason for these subpoenas is to look at money orders campaigns received. just yesterday council member vincent orange showed us a list of recently discovered suspicious money orders given to him by jeff thompson. many will tell

. >> they are looking into all of the campaign finance stuff involved jeff thompson. it does not surprise me that everyone would be looked at. >> geoffrey thompson gave money to 12 of the 13 members of the council. you will see money for candidates who won, lost. campaigns of both are receiving federal subpoenas. >> i have not received anything regarding a subpoena or jeff thompson at all. >> he added "as of yet." vincent gray of another investigation, they are cynical of the latest news. >> money talks, and when you need a favor -- >> >> i think it is the corruption of corruption that has -- the culture of corruption that has caught up with us. i know there is a perception of ethics. >> he is also among those calling for an end to corporate contributions. >> thank you. next at 6:00, apple announces when the new ipad will be released. >> a warm wednesday. >> almost time to hit the slot that they do live casino. the first 100 slot machines were delivered. it is scheduled to open in june. it will be the largest slot machine. >> a hearing has been set for this friday in

attorney's office is looking into all of the campaign finance stuff involving jeff thompson. so, it doesn't surprise me that everyone would be looked at. >> reporter: jeff thompson raised money for many d.c. politicians. his business has a huge contract with the city and his home and office were raided by federal authorities a few weeks ago. >> and i think you gave us about nine checks at one campaign or something like that. we got very little money. >> my guess is that every campaign in 2004, '6, '8, and '10 probably got one of these. >> across the hall, council member marion barry refused to answer if he got a subpoena. >> i'm not going answer anything about anything. the investigation going on. >> and i said -- and meanwhile, sources say one major reason for the subpoenas is to look at money orders campaigns have received. just yesterday, council member vincent orange showed us a list of recently discovered suspicious money orders given to him by jeff thompson. many will tell you the trouble with money orders, they're hard to track. >> if we have a particular way of gettin

employees turned over documents related to campaign fund raising events hosted by jeff thompson. over the years thompson has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a multitude of d.c. candidates. he also owns a firm called chartered health, a medicaid management provider. it has a $320 million contract with the city. >>> 57-year-old ellsworth colbert has pleaded not guilty in the stabbing of robert wright. witnesses say colbert stabbed wright to death because a dog wright was walking pooped on colbert's yard. but colbert said he was cornered and threatened with the dog. colbert has a long list of arrests and convictions in d.c. and prince george's county. >>> a federal judge has ruled maryland's handgun permit law is unconstitutional. the law's requirement that residents must show a, quote, good and substantial reason to carry a handgun infringes on their second amendment rights to bear arms. he says the maryland law is not sufficiently tailored to the state's safety public interest. >>> there's new information about the cleanup of ground water near maryland's fort deetic. th

subpoena, but today, orange was forced to do a lot of explaning about his long relationship with jeff thompson. responding to published reports, orange produced records of 26 money orders that went to his campaigns from thompson's contest. >> what is it about these money orders that arouse suspicion? >> what you would look at, maybe ten in the serial numbers are all running the same sequence. >> meaning they were bought at the same time? >> bought at the same time, however, the name may have been from georgia. so that would raise a suspicion. >> talking possible fraud? >> i'm not going to make that determination. >> council members who got campaign contributions from thompson say they are re- examining their records. >>> the head of maryland senate suggests delaying discussion on a gas tax increase. senate president, mike mill e said it might be better to hold a special session to give gas prices to go down. he wonders if lawmakers will have the appetite to talk increases as they debate other taxes. governor martin o'malley is scheduled to testify tomorrow for his proposal to impose sales taxe

elected officials and businessman jeff thompson. federal agents raided thompson's home and offices earlier this month. we've learned that council members yvette alexander and jack evans were subpoenaed. council member vincent orange says he has not gotten one. however, he was forced to explain campaign contributions from people with ties to thompson. he spoke with our bruce johnson yesterday. >> what you would look at, there may be ten and the serial numbers are all running the same sequence. >> reporter: meaning they were probably bought at the same time? >> bought at the same time. however, the name may have been from georgia. so that would raise a suspicion. >> reporter: you're talking about possible fraud here? >> i'm not going to make that determination. >> council members who received campaign contributions from jeff thompson say they are now starting to re-examine their records. >>> we have new information we are hearing from radio shack about a rude incident at a store in montgomery county. we told you about shanea lewis rec

attorney asking about their connection to well known fundraiser jeff thompson. pson's home and office were recently raided by federal officials. officials. >> the money orders that look suspicious were handed to you by mr. thompson, correct, in a big huge stack? >> yeah, but they were not where you could just look and see. >> we caught up with councilmember vince orange outside the wilson building. he showed us a list of doping as given to his previous campaign that he now calls suspicious. >> i'm not an expert. but some of them do look questionable and some do look suspicious. i met with the office of campaign finance yesterday and provided them the information and they're going to take a look again. >> campaign insiders say the problem with money orders is that they are hard to track. big donation of $500, even $1,000 money orders were handed to orange with other donations. look for yourself. you can see many of the money orders appear to have been taken out at one place and one root after the other. and the names on the orders don't make sense. >> the name may

the company turned over campaigns hosted by jeff thompson. over the years, thompson has been one of the biggest campaign donors to candidates in d.c. he also owned the firm charter health, which is a medicaid management provider with a $320 million contract with the city. >>> dog poop or dog attack? two totally different stories are emerging tonight following the stabbing death. and now witnesses, they say that he stabbed robert wright to death because the dog he was walking had left feces in his front yard. earlier today he said that it is totally wrong. that they cornered him and threatened him with the dog. >> anybody who is telling you that this case has anything to do with dog poop doesn't know what they are talking about. >> today, he plead not guilty to second-degree murder. >>> now, sky 9 was out over the scene right after the fedex truck rear ended a bus. it happened along this road here it in southern maryland. four students from the middle school were on that bus at the time of the crash. and the emergency crews, they had to take on

jeff thompson has hundred many d.c. politicians get elected and is known as a great fundraiser. >> he's done a lot of campaigns in the city. did it for former mayor fenty and williams and has been a prolific fund raiser. >> people should, you know, wonder what the heck is going on. and, really, worry about how influential money is in politics. >> reporter: council member mary chay is very disturbed. this week, she proposed a bill that would ban corporate contributions and what does that mean? >> the people doing work for the government shouldn't contribute money and candidates who are accepting: zeros shift be able to accept money from people who are now doing work for the government or soaking work for the government. >> reporter: and this ban would include people like jeff thompson because his company has a huge contract with the city. council member chay said it's a perfect example of what needs to change. >> that pay-to-play business, you know, that has to be finished. >> reporter: all right, it's important to point

going to make that determination. >> council members who received campaign contributions from jeff thompson they are re- examining their own records. >>> scott spear is off the hook on criminal charges because of a technicality. now he wants his job back. today the well-known montgomery county teacher and coach accused of having sex with a 16- year-old former student met with school officials that are considering his fate. spear and his attorney say they intend to fight now that the criminal charges have been dropped. >> why does he want his job back? >> well, because it's been his life. teaching and coaching has been his career. and he's had a wonderful career. he's such a devoted teacher, if anything, too devoted. and maybe that's part of the reason that we have the problem that we have here. >> for now, spear remains on suspension pending the outcome of the school system investigation. the criminal charges were dropped yesterday because the girl in question is actually old enough to consent to sex under the law. and spear is just a volunteer track coach at montgomery highwhere the girl i

he hired brendan sullivan, one of the top and that is jeff thompson, one of the top criminal defense attorneys, and supposed -- not supposedly, i have been told that he said when somebody comes to me and asks me to represent them, they know they're in trouble. >> and more to come on this developing investigation and we'll keep you up to date andty for your insight. >>> and a new report from metro targets crime statistics in the transit system. metro reveals the deanwood station had the most problems with 67 serious crimes and with six arrests. and next on the list, the arlington cemetery were the safest and in 2011, compared with a six-year high from 2010. >>> a beautiful day out. there a gorgeous afternoon. >> and it had to be chilly like this. i will take the sunshine any day and it was glorious out there. >> and look at how lois light it is. >> and i will take 49 degrees, what we had today and sunsheet. over clouds and 60. >> yes. >> the sun is energizing and this time of the year, can you feel the changing sun angle as we get closer and closer to the spring equinox and we did sta

as well as donations from jeff thompson. council chairman kwame brown's 2008 campaign is also under federal probe. a spokesman for the u.s. attorneys office declined comment. businessman jeff thompson who has obtained counsel i8 but declined comment issed focus of a wide ranging probe into his massive giving campaigns. a copy of the subpoena shows a broad based search for documents referring or relating to thompson. his business partners and firms he controls. thompson holds the city's medicaid contract worth more than $300 million a year and has a prominent accounting firm. he's been a major political fund raiser for local and national elections. the subpoena asks for any documents detailing fund-raising pledges. other campaign commitments, meetings, excessive go nations even if returned. and copies of invitations and rsvp's to thompson events. >> those subpoenas are looking at political activity going back nearly 10 years, doreen? >> tom sherwood reporting, thank you, tom. >>> jpmorgan chase became the first bank to reduce

. >> reporter: jim, he is not well known to the public but jeff thompson has been a go-to guy in city politics. two years ago when vincent gray decided to challenge for mayor he rushed to quickly set up a campaign and fund raising effort. campaign officials say businessman jeff thompson who holds a $300 million medical contract with the city played a key role in early fund raising for hundreds of thousands of dollars. federal authorities are now stepping up a year-old investigation into gray's 2010 fund raising and expenditures. gray's office was still declining comment on monday three days after the fbi raided jeff thompson's downtown accounting firm offices on 15th street and his home. a spokesman for the office and mr. thompson did not reply to requests for comment by news 4 but some d.c. officials were concerned about the turn of events. >> i don't know what's happening but i do share your feeling that something is very wrong in the district. you know, the influence peddling, the money, you know, people working for the government, showering other people with money. it's just disgu

in the campaign that may have done business with one man, and jeff thompson, whose home and offices were raided by the fbi recently. federal investigators delivered the supino stood finance directors of several council campaigns -- delivered the subpoenas. they are asking for any documents or phone records checks money orders invitations and e-mails related to thompson or any of his associates. thompson is the largest contractor with the d.c. government right now. he has reportedly donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to local candidates over the years. one council member spoke recently about this latest turn in the investigation. >> anytime can figure out how to get to the bottom of things is good. >> michael brown told us during that interview that he got money from thompson, but he says the probe will show that his campaign did nothing illegal. we also reached out to council member brown. he said he will comment, but not now. he wants to see the subpoena and find out more information first. this all comes as the u.s. attorney's office has been investigating the d.c. mayor and coun

to him the night before he had to report them to campaign finance officials he had worked with jeff thompsonn the past and didn't suspect anything was wrong until a radio news report revealed a connection to jeffrey thompson. tony and allison we will keep an eye on this one. >> you know we will be thank you. >> very complicated. >> definitely. >>> it is 22 minutes after 7:00 a.m. now last year's earthquake caused a lot of cracks to the washington monument, but is there more damage than was first thought next what surveyors are looking for this time around. >>> and a comedy sensation is playing out in the nations capital the tony award winning musical, monte python's spam a lot will keep you laughing from start to finish. we will check with holly morris later in the show, 7:22 a.m. how did this small colorado town gett through tough economic times? freight rail. it attracted large eating over seventeen hundred jobs. then suppliers, stores, more companies followed, creating more jobs. economists call that the ripple effect. i call it the freight rail effect. freight rail connects every rner of

company employees say they turned over documents related to campaign fund raising events hosted by jeff thompson. over the years thompson donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a multitude of d.c. candidates. he also owns a firm chartered health. it's a medicate management provider. it has a $320 million contract with the city. >>> the main library at george washington university reopened late last night after a gun scare. the secret service warned the school that a suspicious man was headed from pennsylvania avenue to the campus. the university was not put on lockdown. officers did search the library but they didn't find a gunman. >>> jury selection is under way in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the parents of two virginia tech students. the two students julia pride and erin peterson were killed in the april 2000 massacre -- 2007 massacre. the parents claim the school waited too long before alerting students to the early morning shooting to the two people in the dorm before seung-hui cho opened fire. >>> deputies believe between 8:00 saturday night and 8:00 sunday morning racial slurs

as well as donations from jeff thompson. council chairman kwame brown's 2008 at large campaign is also under federal probe. the new subpoenas include candidates for mayor and other offices dating back to 2003. a spokesman for the u.s. attorney's office declined comment. it's the focus of a wide ranging probe into his massive giving campaigns. a copy of the subpoena obtained by news 4, shows a broad based search for documents referring or relating to thompson. his business partners and firms he controls. thompson holds the city's medicaid contract worth more than 3 million a year. and has a prominent accounting firm the subpoena asks for any documents or detailing contributions. now, one official told us the scope of the investigation is breathtaking and is far from over. jim? >>> giant in name only. one of the supermarket chain's smallest stores is now closing down. giant announced plans to shut the store in the 3300 block of wisconsin' in cleveland park. it's been there since 1953. it will close its doors for the final time

elected officials and businessman jeff thompson. federal agents raided his home and offices earlier this month. we've learned that council members jack evans and another member were subpoenaed in the case. >> there may be ten and the serial numbers are all running the same sequence. >> reporter: meaning they were probably bought at the same time? >> the same time. however, the name may have been from georgia. so that would raise a suspicion. > reporter: you're talking about fraud here? >> i'm not going to make that determination. >> council members who received campaign contributions from jeff thompson say they are reexamining their records. >>> at 6:05, we focus on the race for the republican nomination. it's a southern sweep for rick santorum. he won tuesday's contest in alabama and mississippi so the question is will newt gingrich stay in and will mitt romney bounce back? >> reporter: rick santorum pulled off a southern sweep tuesday. >> we did it again. >> reporter: he told supporters in louisiana they'll keep his momentum going

i received contributions from jeff thompson. home and office were raided by federal agents less than two weeks ago, reportedly part of a corruption probe into d.c. city government. some council members say they not worried. >> we have reported everything need to report. >> people at tonight's forum " if there is contruction -- if corruption, it is rooted out. since these subpoenas demand to 2003, going back even former council members expect to get one. it could be a good thing for dc. >> all of the things will help e confidence. we have to clean up our act, but it is going to be ok. this town has survived worse. >> for the current council news comes at a strange time because they are midst of trying to keep their jobs. Ñia lot of council members are p for reelection and normally the primary ins its september, but they had been up.d >> governments our prayers are again examining the washington monument, trying to determine -- government surveyors are trying to the monument is states. -- is safe. surveyors are trying to figure ou

he says he had the work with jeff thompson in the past and didn't suspect anything was wrong until a radio revealed a connection to jeffrey thompson. brian. >> all right, let's bring in mark now and mark, this hurts councilman orange in two ways. is he an accountant and lawyer by trade and he clearly knows better? >> yes, he is. that democratic primary is april 3. they are running against him. and if he is implicated or in any way suspicion arouses concerning these, he'll be politically hurt by that and shapiro will benefit from it. he received these money orders and goes to the question of why do you accept a money order? a money order is nothing more than a way of avoiding disclosure. >> i was going to say, the second way he is up for reelection. who else does this hurt? >> well, it hurts the entire political establishment. tommy wells, who is more than glad to distinguish himself because he never received not one contribution from jeffrey thomas. jeffrey thompson. the whole d.c. police establishment is now under question. these are paper trails. i talked to council member, jack eva

jeff thompson has helped many d.c.iticians get elected. >> he has done it for lots of campaigns in the city. did it for former mayor fenty and williams. he has been a prolific fund raiser. >> people should wonder what the heck is going on and really worry about how influential money is in politics. >> reporter: councilmember mary cheh says she is very disturbed. this week, show proposed a bill that would ban corporate contributions and what does that mean? >> people who are doing work for the government shouldn't contribute money and candidates who are accepting contributions shouldn't be able to accept money from people who are either now doing work for the government or seeking work for the government. >> reporter: this ban would include people like jeff thompson because his company has a huge contract with the city. councilmember cheh says it is a perfect example of what needs to change. >> that pay to play business, you know, that has to be finished. >> reporter: matt ackland, fox 5 news. >> thompson has not been a

federal authorities last week raided the home and offices of local businessman jeff thompson, who was a major fund-raiser for gray. sources say prosecutors are looking at the amount and source of contributions thompson handled. on wednesday, mayor gray said he personally had done some fund raising but he flatly denied that he had ever handled cash or money orders. >> did you ever bring any cash or money orders in yourself? >> no i asked mr. thompson to support my campaign. i never -- i never had any money orders, i never had any cash. those things that i actually directly brought in, they were checks. >> reporter: jeff thompson this week did not respond to nbc 4 seeking comment. the mayor told reporters wednesday he was not aware of anyone in his campaign converting cash to money orders or faking names of donors to cover up excess contributions. ray says he spores the federal investigation, suggesting anyone with information could testify. >> we all know that there's an ongoing investigation with this and, you know, people wish to stand up and contribute information to that, they are

. >> i have received contributions from jeff thompson. >> we reported everything we needed to report. >> the investigation comes at an awkward time for some city council members up for reelection. the council primary is normally held in september but this year it is in april. metro's leaders may be making more money than their counterparts in other cities. the washington post reports that metro paid more than $3 million in executive salaries last year. the general manager richard sarles earned $350,000 in 2011. several top executives made more than $180,000 a year. if all this as metro considers a 5% of their high for you this summer. two homes in anne arundel county seriously damaged after a fast- moving fire last night. the flames broke out before 11:00 p.m. in riva. it quickly spread to a second house. nearly 75 firefighters responded to battle the blaze. no one injured. firefighters trying to determine the cause. a car fire on route 425 occurred yesterday in charles county. the 17-rolled stewart got out of his car and the car burst into flames. he was pronounced dead at the scene.

federal authorities last week raided the home and offices of local businessman jeff thompson, who was a major fund-raiser for gray. sources say prosecutors are looking at the amount and source of contributions thompson handled. on wednesday, mayor gray said he personally had done some fund raising but he flatly denied that he had ever handled cash or money orders. >> did you ever bring any cash or money orders in yourself? >> no i asked mr. thompson to support my campaign. i never -- i never had any money orders, i never had any cash. those things that i actually directly brought in, they were checks. >> reporter: jeff thompson this week did not respond to nbc 4 seeking comment. the mayor told reporters wednesday he was not aware of anyone in his campaign converting cash to money orders or faking names of donors to cover up excess contributions. ray says he spores the federal investigation, suggesting anyone with information could testify. >> we all know that there's an ongoing investigation with this and, you know, people wish to stand up and contribute information to that, they are

jeff thompson is one of the biggest, owner of a well established auditing firm and the chartered health group with its $300 million city contracts. >> i offered an amendment that said let's at least disclose who these companies are that give us money in our campaigns. 12-1 they voted no. >> reporter: it's a well kept secret, but geoff thompson actually owns four houses in the district. his company employs 400 people and until this federal investigation was launched it was actually a lot easier to find people to say good things about geoff thompson than bad, but geoff thompson in a rare public appearance delivering the eulogy for dr. dorothy height. thompson helped retire the mortgage on the pennsylvania avenue headquarters to the national council of negro women. the company also helped underwrite the annual ncaap honors broadcast. >> she taught me what those simple words see what you can do, to never leave any stone unturned when we had a project or mission to achieve. >> reporter: but it's the campaign dollars prosecutors are interested in. councilman vincent orange has $26,000 in mone

at issue, money orders received from jeff thompson. they come after last week's raid on thompson's office and home. >>> you know those gas prices, they are on a climb. as of this morning, dc's average is $4.02. obviously the cheaper prices will be farther away from the district. in maryland, the average is about $3.83. that's up 13 cents since last week. >> painful to see the numbers. >> it is. >> but drivers in maryland might pay more. >> he is pushing for lawmakers to increase the tax rate so the state can pay for transportation projects. we are live with the latest on the governor's plan. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. yes, yesterday the governor testified before the house and senate committees that are responsible for advancing his gas tax increase proposal. if approved, maryland would have the sixth most expensive gas prices in the country. the governor told each committee that the gas tax increase is desperately needed. right now it's 23.5 cents a gallon. it would raise $613 million a year, create 7,500 construction job

businessman jeff thompson.mpson has contracts with city hall worth hundreds of mills of dollars and he's also a major campaign donor to just about every single d. c. councilmember. the of be i and irs rated thompson's home and office sources tell us a handful of council members have gotten federal busy in connection with investigation into possible campaign irregularities. >>> a georgetown man charged with killing his wife may be faking mental illness. however doctors want more time to evaluate him. we're talking about albrecht muth he's the man accused of killing his 91-year-old wife viola drath. a judge ruled that muth is temporarily mentally incompetent to stand trial. >>> in tonight's health alerted a government task for is releasing new guidelines for cervical cancer screening it recommends healthy women between the ages of 21 and 65 only need to have a pap test every three years not heavier. plus women ages 30 and older than extend screening to 5 years if they undergo hp v test and it's negative. doctors

. >> when it comes to well known fundraiser jeff thompson whose home and office were raided a few weeks ago, mr. grey has said before thompson helped his campaign raise money thompson has also helped many other city leaders do the same but mayor grey said he never saw money orders from thompson. >> i really am not able to talk about those matt, first of all because i haven't seen them, you know my campaign finance was handled by others as everybody's campaign is, so, it is an ongoing investigation so, we want the investigation to play out. >> all right it is important to point out the mayor and councilmember ches campaigns have not received these most recent subpoenas it appears che has plenty of support for this money order bill if it clears a vote tomorrow, it will be sent to committee, for public input she hopes to have it in place by november 11th cycle. >> former montgomery county police officer speaking out tonight after a drug conspiracy investigation, turned her life upside down, she was arrested last year, accused of using police powers to help her boyfriend in a drug trafficki

are searching for information on business dealings and campaign contributions from businessman jeff thompson. the f.b.i. and i.r.s. raided topson's home and offices earlier this month. over the year thompson has donated to most current council members, including vincent orange. orange responded to published reports about those donations by producing records of 26 money orders which went to his campaigns from thompson contact. >> there may be ten and the serial numbers are all running the same sequence. however, the name may have been from georgia. so that would raise suspicion. >> reporter: you're talking about fraud here? >> i'm not going to make that determination. >> members who received campaign contributions from thompson say they're reexamining their records. >>> maryland legislators may consider delaying talks on a gas tax increase. senate president mike miller said it might be better to hold a special session to give gas prices a chance to drop first. miller also says he wonders if lawmakers will have an appetite to discuss the increase as they debate on other taxes in the state budg

it all stems from last week's fbi raid on the offices and home of major campaign donor, jeff thompson. ward 6 councilman says he hasn't received a subpoena. he says it seems the fbi believes thompson may have violated the law by providing campaign donations to different council members. >> the office campaign finance, maybe they don't have enough staff to see these things, but the finance group should catch it. the campaigns aught to catch it. it shouldn't have to be the fbi and u.s. attorney to find out you took illegal campaign contributions. >> allegations of wrong doing involving former mayoral candidate. the subpoenas going out request records that relate to fund raising. >>> now to new developments coming in from the campaign trail. rick santorum being declared the winner in both alabama and mississippi. the news coming in just the last 30 minutes or so. here's a look at the numbers. first from alabama. you can see newt gingrich who was hoping to pull a sweep in the south coming in with 30% of the vote. rick santorum 36% of vote. now to mississippi, where rick santorum declared

the home and accounting offices of jeff thompson were raided friday as part of a year-long investigation into vincent gray's campaign fundraising. thompson, who holds a $300 million contract with the city, is considered to have played a key role in early fundraising for gray's mayoral campaign. some council members say the raid is concerning. >>> i don't know what's happening. but i do share your feeling that something is very wrong in the district. you know, the influence pedaling, the money, you know, people working for the government, showering other people with money. it's just -- it's disgusting, and it has to stop. >> sources tell news4 the fbi is looking into thousands of dollars in suspicious money orders given to vincent gray's campaign. >>> the fbi is now analyzing suspicious powder found inside a letter sent to a restaurant near the verizon center. hazmat teams were called to the amarini panini restaurant in northwest. no one was injured but the situation caused a traffic mess when police blocked off the area. investigators believe the incident may have been linked to other en

businessman jeff thompson. thompson has contracts with city hall worth hundreds of millions of dollars. he's also a major campaign donor to most current d.c. council members. the f.b.i. and the i.r.s. recently raided one of thompson's homes and his office. a hondzful of d.c. council -- handful of d.c. council members have received subpoenas. >>> 4:33. the former security chief at the upper big branch mine in west virginia is now appealing his convings. he was one of the -- conviction. he was one of the men in charge when the explosion killed 29 people. he was convicted of lying to investigators and trying to destroy security documents after the explosion. his attorney says the judge wrongly denied requests for certain jury instructions and a new trial and accused prosecutors of misconduct in the case. last month stover was sentenced to three years in prison. the explosion at the big branch mine was the worst coal mine disaster in four decades. >>> a bill which would ban anyone from smoking in cars with kids und

this stems from federal authorities rating the home of jeff thompson, one of his familiar pain contributors. wednesday, he didn't shy away from his relationship with thompson. he even admitted to asking for thompson's support like many other d.c. politicians. >> did it for former mayor fenty, former may williams. he has been a prolific fundraiser. >> people should wonder what the heck is going on and really worry about how influential money is in politics. >> it is porn to point out thompson has not been accused of any wrongdoing here. this week, council woman cheh proposed a bill banning people who do work for the city from being able to make campaign contribution. >>> a man is behind bars after police say he tried to hire a hit man to kill his wife and one of her friends. daniel mendoza offered $200 and his car to an undercover officer as payment. >>> virginia governor bob mcdonnell has signed a controversial abortion bill. as of july in virginia, all women who want an abortion have to undergo an abdominallality rae sound before hand. the ultrasound bill sparked some protest and it calls

council after last week's fbi raid on the homes and offices of major campaign donor jeff thompson. now the u.s. attorney's office is allegedly sending out subpoenas related to the ongoing investigation of d.c. officials and possible campaign violation. we are told some minutes of the council have already received subpoenas and at least one member says he expects to be served. the subpoenas going out request records that relate to fundraising. >>> the serial arsonist from the district is going to prison for a very long time. 27-year-old maurice dues was sentenced yesterday to 25 years behind bars. this after pleading guilty to at least five arsons in vacant buildings around the city. four firefighters were seriously hurt in one of those fires set last april on 48th place in northeast d.c. dues will be sent to a prison in north carolina where he can get psychological help. >>> police are still on the hunt for the man accused of stealing an suv with a baby inside of it. the 5-month-old was found unharmed and this all started when the baby's mother strapped the child in a suv parked in

at issue, money orders received from jeff thompson. they come after last week's fbi raid on thompson's raid and home. >>> a big white house party mixed with celebrities and political money. the state dinner for the british prime minister and his wife was the biggest thrown ever by the president and the first lady. among the 360 people were actor george clooney, warren buffet. the state dinner was held in a huge tent on the south lawn of the white house. and the theme of the night was blue. and the first lady and mrs. cameron both wearing blue gowns. >>> is it illegal? a man says he is being kicked out of his apartment because of his weight. >>> plus, a deadly scene out side a texas courtroom. why police say this man went on a shooting spree. we are checking headlines as fox 5 morning news continues this thursday morning. the word is swapportunity. can i have the definition? swapportunity: the opportunity to swap a higher calorie snack for a yoplait light. can you use it in a sentence? mmm. swapping a 300 calorie donut for this 110 calo

council members are pouring over records looking for campaign contributions from jeff thompson and companies run by thompson. sources tell 9news now muriel bouzer and jack evans has received subpoenas. they are complying with the investigation. the feds want to know more about thompson's contributions and whether he donated more than was legally allowed. >>> disgraced former illinois governor rod blagojevich reports to prison today in colorado. the democrat was given a 14- year sentence for corruption. the charges included offering to sell his appointment to the u.s. senate seat once held by president obama. blagojevich says he never purposely did anything wrong and he is appealing his sentence. >>> today is one of those days having your desk near a window is a double edge sword. on one hand you'll get a chance to see the beautiful weather. >> on the other hand you'll be stuck inside seeing that beautiful weather. delia goncalves is in dupont circle getting an early start on this gorgeous day. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. it is a gorgeous day. "just kind of -- i just kind of shiv

council after last week's fbi raid on the offices and home of major campaign donor jeff thompson. now, the u.s. attorney's office is allegedly sending out sub poon as related to the ongoing investigation of -- subpoenas related to the ongoing investigation of officials and possible campaign violations. >>> the hunt is still on for the man who carjacked an suv in southeast d.c. with a baby inside of t the 5-month-old boy was found unharmed in the vehicle along rail street in prince george's county. family members say the baby's mother put him in the car seat and went inside to get a second child. that is when the man went into the garage and jumped into suv and drove away. >>> coming up next, big names and some big paychecks. >> the question is is it enough to turn the redskins around? we'll get a look at this. free agent sis under way. talks continued late into the night and the burgundy and gold has already made at least one big catch. -- free agency is under way. we're back in a moment.  >>> talks care yitd on late into last night as the red skins go after pretty big nam

the feds are after information on business dealings and campaign contributions from businessman jeff thompson. the f.b.i. and the i.r.s. raided thompson's home and his offices earlier this month. councilman vincent orange responded to published reports about thompson's donations by producing records of 26 money orders that went to campaigns from thompson contact. members who received contributions from topson say they are re-- thompson say they are reexamining their records. >>> a loudoun county couple is expected to go to trial facing misdemeanor charges over their children's tardiness to school. last year one at this time was tardy 68 times and absent 15 days. the couple could be fined $3,000. they say this isn't a criminal matter. school officials though say excessive tardiness disrupts other students. >>> governor martin o'malley is scheduled to test testify about his -- to testify about his proposal of upping the gas tax. the senate president mike miller says it might be better to hold a special session to give gas prices a chance to drop before any taxes are considered. miller also wond

. >> reporter: when it comes to well known fundraiser jeff thompson whose home and office were raided a few weeks ago, mr. gray has said before thompson helped his campaign raise money. thompson has also helped many other city leaders do the same, but mayor gray said he never saw money orders from thompson. >> i'm really not able to talk about those, matt, first of all, because i haven't seen him. my campaign finance was handled by others as everybody's campaign is. so there's an ongoing investigation. so we want the investigation to play out. >> reporter: matt ackland, fox 5 news. >> neither the mayor nor council member cheh's campaign received those most recent subpoenas. cheh appears to have plenty of support for this money order bill. if it clears the vote tomorrow, it will be sent to committee for public input. >>> maryland's own senator barbara mikulski is now the longest serving congresswoman in u.s. history breaking the record saturday representing maryland on capitol hill more than 35 years. mikulski served 10 years in the house before becoming a senator in '86. when she ente

. >> jeff thompson has been a successful businessman in the city, he's run a leading accounting firmcity. he's been involved in health care. this is the situation that we'll watch unfold and see what's going on here fp. >> in his first real comment since the thompson raid. grayson torn between his lawyers advice not to comment at all. and warning to respond he has done nothing at all. >> you feel comfortable with what you've done? >> i do. it was a hectic campaign, short period of time, a lot of activity. at the same time, i was chair of the council of the district of columbia, trying to do my job there. as i look back at my own involvement, there was a lot of activity, and we did it with the utmost activity. >> the mayor is concerned that people in his campaign are trying to help him by doing improper things or violating campaign laws. the fbi raid is seen as a major step in the investigation. mayor gray said he asked for this investigation, and he'll stay focused on his job. web dirks back to you. >> tom sherwood. >>> now back to breaking news out of montgomery county. three vehicl

federal subpoenas asking for past campaign information at issue are money orders received from jeff thompsonnor and fundraiser subpoenas come after the raid on thompson's office and home. >> rob blagojevich on the way to prison the former illinois governor left his home in chicago to catch a plane to colorado prison. he was sentenced to 14 years. yesterday blagojevich gave one last news conference in front of hundreds of supporters take a listen. >> maybe one of the lessons to this whole story is you got to be maybe a little bit more humble you can never have enough humility, and maybe i could have had more of that. >> blagojevich is appealing his sentence and conviction. >>> u.s. government is kick starting its first national anti smoking campaign, the feds are spending $54 million on ads for tv radio and print publication's including eye catching images of health problems related to cigarettes smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the u.s. killing more than 443,000 americans each year. >>> still ahead a love story that caught america's attention on the big s

federal agents raided the home and offices of jeff thompson last friday, he holds a $300 million medical contract with the city. he also played a key role in helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for gray's run for mayor in 2010. gray says there was no wrongdoing on his part. >> it was a hectic campaign, short period of time, only five months, there was a lot of activity, and, of course, at the same time i was the chair of the district of columbia, trying to do my job there. as i look back at my own involvement, there was a lot of activity, and we did it with the utmost integrity. >> sources close to gray say the mayor is concerned that people in his campaign are trying to help him may have done improper things or violated campaign laws. >>> coming up tonight. three people from one family all died from a mysterious illness. hazmat crews are looking through their home for clues. >>> this is not your typical missing person's case. why the government is offering a million dollar reward for this man's safe return. >>> victims beginning the tough task of rebuilding after that deadly

development thursday, wamu reporter patrick madden disclosed that wamu had traced at least $59,000 in jeff thompson related contributions based on gray's official campaign documents. >> jeffrey thompson has retained counsel and declined to comment to news 4. jim? >> thanks. >>> new information about the charges against army private bradley manning came out in court at fort meade today, accused of leaking hundreds of thousands of sensitive military reports and diplomatic cables to wikileaks. manning is charged with aiding the enemy and now the military prosecutors are identifying the enemy today as al qaeda. manning's lawyers say he was a troubled soldier and should never have been allowed access to classified material and they say the leak did not affect national security. >>> a gaithersburg priest is defending his decision to deny communion to a lesbian church goer. the same john newman catholic church suspended reverend marcelle garnizo who excluded a woman named barbara johnson from communion during her mother's funeral last month. in his first statement since the suspension he says johnson reve

it's related to the federal grand jury investigation of political donor jeff thompson. the businessman is being questioned about his donations to most of the council members. federal authorities have searched his office and his home. they did it earlier this month. thompson has a contract with city hall worth hundreds of millions of dollars. >>> the maryland state senate has approved a $5 billion budget for the next fiscal year which includes an income tax increase to help pay for the deficit. the increase would cost the middle-class families an extra $65 to $200 per year. it would add a top bracket rate for income couples over half a million dollars. it would also include a cigarette tax. the measure now heads to the house of delegates. >>> tomorrow is st. patrick's day and it's also the suntrust rock 'n' roll u.s.a. marathon. the race takes runners through all four quadrants of the district. mike and i will be anchoring our live coverage from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for more information click on wusa9.com. now for more on the race and the events surrounding it, runnin