By Armando Duke

(AXcess News) Houston, TX - The Senate Democratic Minority Speaker, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV.), has been caught in a million dollar real estate scandal involving the payment to Reid of $1.1 million in a Las Vegas land sale - three years after he owned the property.

Under the financial disclosure forms filed by Senator Reid, in 2004 the Nevada Democrat received $1.1 million from the sale of land in Las Vegas that he had not owned for three years.

He transferred the land in 2001 to a company he owned with a friend but did not mention the deal in disclosure forms that all members of Congress are required to file.

So far, Sen. Reid is avoiding the press over the issue and has refused to comment unless the Senate Ethics Committee forces his hand.

Reid, who has been one of the most outspoken Democrats against the Bush administration has suddenly found himself without voice on the matter and some GOP members say it's Reid who needs to be investigated, when referring to Reid's call for an investigation into Rep. Dennis Hastert's knowledge of the Foley e-mail scandal that rocked the Speaker of the House's office and Republicans alike who are seeking re-election in November.

Reid bought the Las Vegas land in 1998, paying $400,000 for the property that adjoined another lot owned by long-time friend and Las Vegas casino lawyer, Jay Brown.

Reid and Brown then combined ownership of their properties into a single company to make it easier to rezone.

Reid supposedly sold his share of the company for $1.1 million to shopping-center developers in 2004 but reported the transaction as a personal sale in his financial disclosure forms.