O'Donnell Denies Misuse Of Campaign Money

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Failed U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell is denying any inappropriate use of campaign funds.

The Delaware Republican appeared on several network morning shows on Thursday to defend herself. A day earlier, it was disclosed that federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation to determine whether she broke the law by using campaign money to pay personal expenses.

O'Donnell told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she didn't misuse campaign money and called scrutiny of her spending a "thug political tactic."

She said neither she nor her campaign have been informed of a federal investigation.

On Thursday, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press that it was being conducted. The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity to protect the identity of a client who has been questioned as part of the probe.

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