Report calls out Buyer over scholarship fund

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A CBS News Investigation is again raising questions about a scholarship fund started by Indiana Congressman Steve Buyer (R-4th District) showing that Buyer has made changes in its operation.

Steve Buyer launched the Frontier Foundation in 2003 with a goal of granting college scholarships. The CBS investigation focused on how that foundation is run and how Buyer is now reacting to critics.

The Frontier Foundation no longer operates out of the same Monticello office space as Steve Buyer's campaign, a change made in August after questions were first raised about the fund.

Buyer admitted to CBS that he may have provided fodder for those who question the way things were done.

"I was so focused on making sure that we were legal," said Buyer, "That I probably didn't pay as close attention as I should have on 'quote' appearances."

Sharyl Attkisson of CBS conducted the interview with Buyer. 24-Hour News 8 spoke with her Wednesday about the story.

"Buyer's own campaign manager was asking to generate funds among donors who had direct interests on his committees in Congress. And that really is what raises, at the very least, an appearance problem here," said Attkisson.

But there is no evidence that Buyer did anything illegal and he denies performing favors for donors.

"Please do not assume that if a company contributes to the foundation, that somehow that's some type of influence upon what I'm about to do," said Buyer.

Because pharmaceutical companies are big donors to the foundation, Buyer points to his opposition to health care reform as evidence that he is willing to oppose their view. But Democrats also suggest he used the fund to get around campaign donation limits.

"You know, if any process mistakes were made, I am sorry and I will correct them," he said in the story.

24-Hour News 8 tried to get Steve Buyer's reaction to the CBS story. His spokesperson sent an e-mail calling it misleading and said the Congressman chooses not to respond.