Miller Trucks on Despite Land Deal Probe

Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif., is seen his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Feb. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook) (Dennis Cook - AP)

To Miller's defenders, the whole controversy amounts to a bum rap.

"Any good businessman's going to push the envelope from time to time," said Frank Williams, executive officer of the Baldy View Chapter of the Building Industry Association in California. "That's part of dealmaking. It's not illegal."

Miller is one of three California Republicans being investigated by the Justice Department. Rep. John Doolittle has drawn attention in the corruption investigation centered on jailed GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and Rep. Jerry Lewis is being investigated over his ties to a different lobbyist.

After the Los Angeles Times and others published reports on the Monrovia deal and quoted city officials saying Miller was a willing seller, the congressman made public two letters from Monrovia officials describing the transaction as "eminent domain" and "friendly condemnation." His attorney sent a letter to city officials warning of "damages for which the city could be held accountable" if they did not stop making "misstatements."

Monrovia officials subsequently posted a detailed narrative on the city Web site explaining that eminent domain was never used in the sale but the threat did exist.

Miller's business dealings have drawn scrutiny before.

In the early 1990s, as a member of the Diamond Bar City Council, Miller faced a recall drive. Critics alleged that he lied about owning a company with business before the council and opposed a subdivision because the developer refused to hold a fundraiser for a council ally.

Miller denied the accusations and filed a libel lawsuit. The recall fell short of getting on the ballot, and Miller's suit was dismissed.

Hard feelings linger in Diamond Bar, the town 30 miles east of Los Angeles where Miller still lives. Eileen Ansari, a Democrat and former city councilwoman who challenged Miller in his first race for Congress, contends that Miller clocks little time in Washington and can claim few legislative accomplishments.

"It looks like he's in there for his own benefit. That's my disappointment in him," Ansari said.

Miller said being a congressman has hurt his business rather than helped, because of the time spent in Washington and the glare of public life. He said he'd rather be home in his district, where he said he can help constituents, and routinely takes the first plane home each weekend when House votes are over.

"I'm not a Washington politician," he said.