BOSTON -- State Rep. Michael Moran, D-Boston, chairman of the Massachusetts House Redistricting Committee, canceled a Washington fundraiser just an hour after Team 5 Investigates raised questions about it.

Moran, who has never held a Washington fundraiser, had planned to hold the event the night before he meets privately with seven congressman hoping to remain in office after redistricting eliminates one seat.

"Some friends suggested I have a fundraiser while I was down there, so I decided, 'why not'?" Moran initially told Team 5 Investigates.

Moran said that Rep. Michael Capuano, D–Mass., had "secured the location for the fundraiser" which would have been held on Feb. 15, at the Ivy, an exclusive restaurant in the city.

Massachusetts lost one Congressional seat as a result of the 2010 census, meaning one incumbent will lose his seat in the 2012 election.

Moran will have influence over drawing the new map that sets the nine new Congressional districts.

Moran said among those who had organized the event for him were lobbyists Dennis Kearney, former Suffolk County Sheriff and legislator, and union officials for the painters, carpenters and SEIU.

"While nothing inappropriate was done, I will not allow any negative perceptions to infiltrate the redistricting process," Moran said in a statement canceling the fundraiser. "I will ensure the integrity of this process through to its end."

The planned event had been immediately criticized by state Republicans.

"This is absurd and embarrassing," said Nate Litte, executive director of the Massachusetts State Republican Party. "It's obviously a blatant conflict of interest and we can be sure one seat that won't be changing in the redistricting process. The only question is, 'how much will it cost?' Tone deaf doesn't begin to describe this."

While Moran had said he would not be accepting checks from either Capuano or any other congressman, he had not precluded accepting checks ranging from $250 to $500 from their supporters.