WASHINGTON — A background investigation has found evidence of "ethics problems" involving President Bush's choice to head the Office of Government Ethics, who is now out of the running, the Washington Post reported today.

The evidence was uncovered in an FBI background check of Paul Pressler of Houston, a national leader of the fundamentalist movement within the Southern Baptist Convention and a Texas Civil Court judge, the Post said. "Information was uncovered that we felt was disqualifying," a senior official told the Post.

The newspaper said officials will not detail the FBI findings except to say they did not involve allegations of crimes or financial improprieties. Pressler could not be reached for comment.