The Justice Department has ended an investigation of Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), according to a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported.

Spokesman Thom Mrozek said Friday that Lewis’ attorney was recently informed that the criminal investigation had been closed. Federal prosecutors had been examining tens of millions of dollars in spending projects that Lewis directed to clients of lobbyist Bill Lowery, who represented California as a Republican House Member in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of the clients donated to Lewis’ re-election campaigns and his political action committee.

Lewis has denied wrongdoing since the investigation was first reported in 2006. “The DOJ response confirms what I’ve known from Day 1 — that the facts and the truth of this matter will ultimately prevail,” Lewis said in statement. “I look forward to continuing to focus all my efforts on cutting government spending and getting our nation onto a responsible and sustainable fiscal path.”

Lewis is the ranking member on the Appropriations Committee and hopes to become its chairman in the 112^th Congress. He and Lowery served together on the panel for eight years.