Police investigating reported threat against Akin

Updated 7:57 PM ET

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - U.S. Capitol Police are investigating a reported threat against Rep. Todd Akin, the Missouri congressman who has been criticized for comments he made recently about rape.

Lt. Kimberly Schneider of the U.S. Capitol Police issued a statement: "The U.S. Capitol Police are currently working with the FBI on a reported threat against Congressman Akin. This is an active, open investigation. Of course, we don't discuss the security of Members of Congress--this includes our security operations & procedures."

An aide for Akin said: "The office of Congressman Akin has received threats of rape of his official staff, family and the Congressman himself along with suggestions that individuals should die."

Akin, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Missouri, caused a stir when he said in a television interview Sunday that women's bodies have ways of preventing pregnancies in cases of what he called "legitimate rape." He has apologized repeatedly and has said he misspoke, and has refused demands by top Republicans that he withdraw from the Senate race.

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Meanwhile, Akin claimed Thursday to have taken in more than $100,000 during a two-day online fundraising drive that he portrayed as a grassroots effort to circumvent "party bosses" who demanded that he drop out.

But the six-term congressman will need much more than that to replenish a campaign account already diminished by a hotly contested primary -- and the withdrawal of an estimated $10 million in backing from the GOP and political groups.