Johanns accused of using ag office to lobby for GOP

President George W. Bush and then-Ag Secretary Mike Johanns leave the Rose Garden in 2007 after the president announced Johanns' resignation. WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

The Omaha World-Herald is reporting that U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns is among those accused in a report by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel of using his office as ag secretary to promote Republican candidates in 2006.

Which would be illegal.

Johanns is vehemently denying it; saying expenses were reimbursed for questioned trips to New Mexico, Arizona and Minnesota. The World-Herald says Johanns showed them proof the expenses were reimbursed.