Google's quest to lockdown its $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick has hit another roadblock. Wired News is reporting that consumer rights groups are demanding that the FTC chair Deborah Platt Majoras recuse herself from reviewing the deal citing a possible conflict of interest.

The complaint charges that Majoras used to be a partner at Jones Day, a law firm retained to represent DoubleClick before the FTC.

In a statement issued today, DoubleClick denied that Jones Day represented the company before the FTC, saying that the firm worked primarily on European issues for the company. DoubleClick identified the law firm of Simpson Thacher as its counsel before the FTC.

Meanwhile, The New York Times is reporting that Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, who sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee that oversees the FTC, has criticized Google for failing to cooperate with his requests to investigate the deal.   
 
In a letter to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Barton said his aides received a "chilly response" when trying to arrange a visit to the company's headquarters to talk about the how the proposed deal might impact consumer privacy.

Google said it was "surprised" by the letter, adding that it was working to arrange a visit.

The FTC had been expected to rule on the deal as early as today. But in light the political situation that seems to be brewing, a ruling is expected to be delayed by at least a few days.