NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A national electric cooperative is claiming U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper improperly entered a private Web site and is now being investigated by the FBI.

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At a public committee hearing, NRECA's CEO Glenn English announced that Cooper was under investigation by the FBI. The hearing was about the trips and spending of a Texas electric cooperative.

"Would the gentleman care to inform us on the slideshows and the other information materials on the secret password-protected Web site like this document that he refused to give to my office or to Mr. Watson or anyone else who inquired?" said Cooper.

The NRECA said Cooper asked for the information but was told that he couldn't have it. The NRECA also said that Cooper got access to the password-protected Web site and published information about it in the Harvard Legislative Review.

"The reference that he made was with regard to a private Web site and gave even a Web site that provides access to members' 401ks and also their retirement benefits. NRECA's counsel has advised me that Mr. Cooper is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for his unauthorized access and downloading of information from NRECA's password-protected Web site, and that is in violation of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act," said English.

NRECA said Cooper asked for the information but was told he couldn't have it, but that Cooper got access to the Web site and published information about it in a Harvard legislative review.

Cooper said an acquaintance gave him the username and password to access the Web site. He admitted that he looked at the site.

"I had authorization to use the Web site from someone who gave me their password and information," Cooper said.

"The only people that could give you authorization is myself or others at NRECA -- a limited number of others. Like I said, this is a matter under investigation by the FBI, you can take it up with them," English said.

Cooper's office said it has no reason to believe Cooper is under FBI investigation. Cooper said he got the information from a high-up co-op official and has not been contacted by the FBI about any investigation.

"Mr. English's false allegation is completely laughable. The chairman of committee says this is an attempt -- a bogus attempt -- to intimidate Congress and the committee, so I think this is really a diversion and a distraction," said Cooper.

An FBI spokesman said, "The FBI does not comment on statements or accusations made by others concerning its investigative activity."

But when Cooper admitted that he used someone else's password to access the Web site in an open meeting, does that amount to an admission of guilt?

A Nashville attorney said the law in Tennessee is not black and white and that the conditions are constantly changing and that it depends on the circumstances.

Copper's office also released the following the statement on Thursday:

"In 1994, when I was investigating the tobacco industry, a cigarette company threatened me with jail unless I turned over my files to them. Their lawsuit was quickly thrown out of court, but it gave me first-hand experience with corporate intimidation. In my view, attempting to intimidate the Committee when we are investigating serious issues is a mistake. We won’t be intimidated and we will continue to try to protect the interests of co-op customers by looking into any credible allegations of misconduct by the co-op boards."