Is corruption contagious? With the FBI already knee-deep in investigations into Republican members of Congress who may have traded votes for money, the Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has just released a statement saying he's asking the FBI to investigate the NRCC [1]for possible financial fraud in its fundraising operation.

From Chair Tom Cole (OK) via Roll Call:

"As part of our ongoing efforts to institute and strengthen financial controls at the National Republican Congressional Committee, we learned earlier this week of irregularities in our financial audit process. Since these irregularities may include fraud, we have notified the appropriate law enforcement authorities. We are aggressively and thoroughly investigating the matter and, while we determine the details, we have terminated our relationship with a former employee who was engaged as an outside vendor."

Calling in the feds on your own committee?  Yowza.

All this as the NRCC claws its way out of debt thanks to the generous transfers [2] of a couple of prominent lawmakers. As the big money battle rages on towards November, what will a financial scandal do the Republican's ability to compete in the financial horse races of modern campaigns?