USA Today's harsh words for unethical Members of Congress
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Wed Oct 18, 2006 at 03:58:17 PM EST
Like most Americans whose names don't rhyme with Back Sabamoff, USA Today is disgusted with the state of politicians' "shameless money schemes."
Congress is supposed to be a body of public servants -- people who pass up more lucrative professions for a chance to influence policy and improve constituents' lives.
These days, however, it is getting harder to see the sacrifice in congressional service. An extraordinary number of representatives and senators -- well beyond the proverbial few bad apples -- are devising schemes to supplement their annual $165,200 benefit-rich pay packages.
The schemes, often entered into with a breathtaking audacity and sense of personal entitlement, are corrosive to democracy, injurious to the reputations of the many honest and diligent lawmakers, and illustrative of the adage that power corrupts.
They go on to classify some of the tactics used in these dishonest practices: nepotism, as symbolized by Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA), undisclosed land or investment incentives, as represented by Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Harry Reid (D-NV) - to which list I would add Sen. George Allen (R-VA) - and direct action taken by the likes of Reps. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) and Charles Taylor (R-NC) to steer favorable legislation towards endeavors that they directly benefit from.
Stick a fork in him
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Fri Oct 13, 2006 at 01:20:17 PM EST
Bob Ney is done!
Standing before Judge Ellen S. Huvelle, Ney pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements. He acknowledged taking money, gifts and favors in return for official actions on behalf of Abramoff and his clients.
Yeehaw!
"I never intended my career in public service to end this way, and I am ashamed it did," Ney said in a written statement issued moments after his plea.
I have no sympathy for this man. He shamed himself, his position, his colleagues, his party, and his constituents. Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 27 months, and I hope he serves every day of it.
Ney did not resign his seat. Several officials have said the congressman is financially strapped and needs his $165,200 annual paycheck and benefits as long as he can continue to receive them.
Ney's lawyer, Mark Touhey, told the judge he would resign before sentencing on Jan. 19. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other Republican leaders said he would be gone far more quickly than that.
He should have been gone long before now.
The first charge accused Ney of conspiring to commit "honest services" fraud, a combination of mail and wire fraud often used in public corruption cases. The second count charges Ney with not revealing his gifts from Abramoff on financial disclosure forms.
Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Nothing like a little justice to brighten up a cold Friday the 13th, is there?
"Transactional lobbying" the name of the game
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Wed Aug 09, 2006 at 01:15:35 PM EST
Transactional lobbying, noun. 1. Providing a campaign contribution to a lawmaker in exchange for a political favor. 2. The exchange of check-containing envelopes between lobbyists and politicians linked to Congressional earmarks. see also: quid pro quo, bribery.
You may have seen the much-talked-about article in the New York Times about Brent Wilkes, the defense contractor who (along with Mitchell Wade) has been named in the bribery scandal that forced the resignation and plea deal of former Representative Duke Cunningham. If you haven't, check it out - it's a disturbingly open account of how business is accomplished these days in Congress.
William Jefferson, Inc.
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 04:35:23 PM EST
More and more information is coming out about the FBI's investigation of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA). The latest is a dissection of the various companies and corporations Jefferson set up under family members' names in order to receive and transmit illegal payments. The Washington Post reports:
As court records, sworn affidavits, plea agreements and search warrants attest, it was quite a deal, one of several involving at least seven business entities, nearly a dozen family members and hundreds of thousands of dollars sloshing through bank accounts, all for Jefferson's personal benefit.
An FBI raid on Jefferson's congressional office last month triggered a constitutional showdown between the White House and congressional leaders from both parties over separation of powers. But as that controversy subsides, the focus has shifted back to Jefferson and the corporate labyrinth that federal authorities say he erected to secretly receive illegal payments for promoting high-tech ventures in Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria.
Florida sheriff under investigation for loan
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Thu Jun 01, 2006 at 11:45:00 AM EST
Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne is under investigation for his failure to disclose a $20,000 loan from a developer with business before his office:
Developer Philip Procacci and one of Jenne's secretaries, Marian Yoka, told federal prosecutors and state investigators that Procacci gave her a loan of $20,000 with the understanding that she would give the money to Jenne to pay his 2003 income taxes, said the sources, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. As part of the investigation of Jenne's business dealings and finances, investigators are questioning why he appears to have concealed the source of the money and why he did not declare it on his state ethics disclosure forms. They are also trying to determine if the developer or Jenne got any other benefit as a result of the loan.
More of the story after the jump.
Colorado State Rep. Hanna escapes indictment
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Wed May 31, 2006 at 04:21:59 PM EST
Common Cause Colorado has been busy lately. What with bringing an end to "office accounts" and fighting for election and lobby reforms, it's almost easy to forget that earlier this year they called for State Rep. Deanna Hanna's resignation over an ethics scandal -- and got it. Hanna resigned as a result of public outcry over a letter she wrote to the Colorado Associate of Realtors asking for "reparations."
Well, she's gotten at least a legal reprieve; a Jefferson County grand jury has declined to indict Hanna on bribery or attempted bribery charges:
While not directly explaining its decision, the grand jury noted there was no evidence "Hanna altered her positions or votes on any issues of concern to the Realtor organizations." The grand jurors, however, said Hanna implied "she could exercise her discretion in a manner unfavorable to the Realtors if her demand for a contribution was not met."
There's a larger issue at heart, however:
Colorado Common Cause executive director Pete Maysmith said the case shows problems with the political system. "If someone even feels it might be OK to trade a vote for cash, we have to find out how to improve the system," he said.
Ready for your close-up, Rep. Jefferson?
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Mon May 22, 2006 at 03:05:07 PM EST
Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) has been under investigation for bribery for some time now, but this weekend his profile got elevated to a level he'd probably just as soon avoid.
AP reports that the FBI has videotaped evidence from last year of Jefferson accepting money from a businesswoman.
The FBI revealed Sunday that Rep. William Jefferson, under investigation for bribery, was videotaped accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an FBI informant whose conversations with the lawmaker also were recorded. Agents later found the cash hidden in his freezer, according to a court document released Sunday.
Yes, in the freezer. Justice is best served cold, I suppose?
As for the $100,000, the government says Jefferson got the money in a leather briefcase last July 30 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Arlington. The plan was for the lawmaker to use the cash to bribe a high-ranking Nigerian official -- the name is blacked out in the court document -- to ensure the success of a business deal in that country, the affidavit said.
Jefferson has not been charged, and he maintains his innocence. He is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, and the FBI searched his office the day before the videotape announcement. Check out the New Orleans Times-Picayune for a more detailed covering of the story and the history of the investigation.
We can only wait as the FBI and the Ethics Committee conduct their investigations. One thing's for sure, however -- Rep. Jefferson had better get used to the spotlight.
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