By AP/KWMU
Washington – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is donating to charity a $5,000 contribution from a recently indicted former Illinois official.
Ali Ata donated the money to Obama's Senate campaign on June 30, 2003.
Ata, the former executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, was charged Thursday with trying to help entrepreneur Tony Rezko borrow $10 million in a fraud scheme.
Rezko's personal and financial relationship with Obama has been an issue in the Illinois senator's presidential campaign.
After being asked about Ata's donation by The Associated Press, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said $5,000 from the Senate campaign account would be donated to an unspecified charity.