Watchdog Group Claims Ethics Violation After Would-Be Rival Said Rep. Marie Newman Scuttled Deal To Hire Him

CHICAGO (CBS) -- U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (D-Illinois) has only been in office five months – and now she is facing an ethics complaint over an alleged bribe.

This follows a story exposed by CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov last week.

Kozlov reported Newman was being sued by Iymen Chehade, who was considering running as an opponent. He said he signed a contract with Newman, stating that in the event Newman was elected, she would give him a Chief Foreign Policy Advisor position or a similar job.

But they had a falling out, and he was never hired.

Now, a conservative government watchdog group claims that contract is a violation of federal election law.

Newman's spokesperson said they're not aware a formal complaint has been filed.