Democrats attack Ayotte over donation from troubled college

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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (AY'-aht) of New Hampshire has come under fire for accepting donations from a for-profit college company being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Ayotte, who is in facing Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan (HAS'-uhn) in one of the country's most competitive U.S. Senate races, returned the $8,000 in donations from San Diego-based Bridgepoint Education Inc., last month after her campaign said that she learned of the company's problems.

That hasn't stopped Hassan's campaign from highlighting the donations and suggesting that Ayotte tried to cover it up — something Ayotte has denied. Democrats also say the donations imply she's beholden to special interests.

Bridgepoint didn't respond to a request for comment. But in its Securities and Exchange Commission filing earlier this month, it confirmed the investigation.