NYT: Saban Involved in Harman Call

The New York Times picked up CQ's story that Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) was heard on a wiretapped phone conversation in which she apparently agreed to lenient treatment for two pro-Israel lobbyists.

In exchange, an unidentified caller promised that Haim Saban would withhold contributions to Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) if she did not select Harman to chair the House Intelligence Committee in 2006, the Times reported.

Harman denied that she sought influence through the Justice Department.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Saban did not contribute to Pelosi's campaign committee in 2007 or 2008. But his wife, Cheryl, did make two $2,300 contributions to Pelosi that were recorded in June, 2007.