Ken Calvert, California GOP Congressman, Probed Over Land Deal

Ken Calvert, California GOP Congressman, Probed Over Land Deal

(AP) A Southern California congressman is being investigated by the FBI over an alleged inside deal to buy publicly-owned land.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports agents are probing whether Rep. Ken Calvert improperly bought land from a government agency that was earmarked for a park. State law requires surplus public land to be first offered to other public agencies before it is sold for private use.

Calvert, who represents parts of Orange and Riverside counties, is part of an investment group that wants to build mini-storage units on the site in Jurupa.

The investigation follows a 2007 grand jury probe that concluded the sale violated state laws.

Calvert says the FBI probe is part of "a desperation effort" to force him to sell the land to the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District.

Calvert's lawyer says the Republican from Corona is cooperating with agents.

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