He gave reporters a copy of the campaign contributions made to Hughes' Democratic opponent, Lisa M. Johnson, that included $2,000 he said was from one of Riesen's attorneys, Alan Smith.

"There is clearly some politics being played here," Karrenberg said.

Hughes' attorney also defended his client's own actions. "This is not bribery. This is not illegal," Karrenberg said, describing the exchange between Hughes and former state Rep. Susan Lawrence as beginning when she asked for help getting reelected.

Hughes, according to Karrenberg, "let it be known" that groups supporting private school vouchers had money available to contribute to candidates who backed their cause. Hughes did not mention an amount of money, Karrenberg said.

He said that's just the way politics works. "I'm not saying it's a 'wink-wink, nudge-nudge.' I'm saying it's a truism," Karrenberg said. Lawrence, a voucher opponent, lost her bid for reelection in 2006 — to Riesen.

Karrenberg also said he had not yet received a response from the ethics committee about his request that the inquiry be opened. Told that the co-chairman had said the meeting had to stay closed, Karrenberg said, "That may well be true. ... All I can do is request it."

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