Washington ? Sen. Sam Brownback is giving away $42,000 in campaign donations connected to indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a move several other lawmakers have taken in recent days to avoid the appearance of undue influence.

The Kansas Republican also is giving up a separate $5,000 contribution from a defense contractor at the center of ex-Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s bribery case, Brownback spokesman Brian Hart said Wednesday.

“Senator Brownback has always preferred to either return or donate to charity any campaign or leadership funds that even have the appearance of impropriety,” Hart said.

Brownback’s now-defunct Restore America Political Action Committee received the $42,000 in 2002 from four American Indian tribes represented by Abramoff, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Abramoff and his partner, Michael Scanlon, collected more than $80 million from tribes to lobby Congress on casino gambling and other issues. The Justice Department is investigating whether trips, gifts and campaign donations arranged by Abramoff were in exchange for official acts by members of Congress.