The district attorney pursuing charges against a former aide to U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry gave him a donation in 2004.

Supporters of McHenry have said that the investigation is political payback for their support of Locke Bell's opponent in the Republican primary last year.

But Bell told Roll Call that he is simply finishing an investigation started by his predecessor.

"I inherited an investigation," Bell said. "In 2004, I supported McHenry. I was one of his big contributors."

Campaign finance records show that R.L. Bell of Gastonia gave McHenry $250 in 2004.