Ethics: Governmental |
Abuses of power of office-holders in response to incentives of vested interests; attempts to limit the influence of lobbyists on political decision-makers.
1/5/09 Pay-for-play allegations get Bill Richardson get kicked out of the Commerce Department:. The New Mexico Governor, Obama's choice for Secretary of Commerce, is revealed to have engaged in some dubious "commerce" of his own, in a series of transactions between New Mexico government and corporate bids for transportation contracts. He withdraws from nomination consideration. The Associated Press offers this brief chronology of the events that led to his sidelining. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gvB6Wm8Z1kUPa98Ib9RZCLpMeFbwD95GTRN80
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Analysis & views: 11/12/08 European Union pressure on Bulgaria to stop rampant corruption in its government as a condition of EU membership has not worked, as that corruption continues. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=44655 5/10/08 European parliament just like U.S. Congress:. While EU legislates "ethics reforms" to control business lobbyists, legislators jet off to Peru to view the operations there of British Petroleum, a "stealth lobbyist" with a vital interest in the kind of trade agreement the EU makes with Peru. http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42314 1/22/08 Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission questions state bank leader on charges the bank transferred funds to lawmakers, amid charges against the Commission itself that it conducted its investigation in secrecy. http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailnational.asp?fileid=20080122.H01&irec=0 7/11/07 They execute corrupt officials in China, don't they? A Jake Fuller cartoon. http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=editorials 7/7/07 Britain's new PM, Gordon Brown, is already facing questions over a financial maneuver in which he transferred ownership of his residence to his wife, allowing her to make a tax-saving sale as the couple moved into 10 Downing. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/07/nsarah107.xml 4/21/07 Two of Tony Blair's aides may be indicted in the long-running "cash for honours" scandal in the UK. http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2469297.ece 4/6/07 Canada's "sponsorship scandal" in which lucrative government contracts for awarded communication agencies which delivered little product but allegedly were used for political patronage by Liberal government is widened with shackled appearance in court of a leading advertising executive. 3/2/07 Leading Shanghai government and business leaders are expelled from Communist Party and face possible criminal charges in a corruption scandal involving disappearance of public pension funds. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6410507.stm 3/1/07 "Whispers" are circulating in Canadian circles that two candidates for Liberal Party leadership are secretly being paid liberal salaries in return for dropping out of the leadership race. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070301.wliberals01/BNStory/National/home 2/27/07 Canadian government is pressured by lobbying from a Quebec firm to grant it a multi-million dollar sole contract to train air force crews. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070227.wxaircraft27/BNStory/National/home 2/3/07 Tony Blair is resisting demands he resign as British PM in the face of a "cash for honors" scandal that his engulfed his administration. http://politics.guardian.co.uk/funding/story/0,,2005074,00.html#article_continue 3/19/06 "Peerages for loans" scandal rocks Blair government in Britain: http://politics.guardian.co.uk/funding/story/0,,1732034,00.html 2/13/06 World bank refuses to address reforms to promote whistle-blowers as recommended by accountability report: http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0210-09.htm
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Websites: Center for Responsive Politics: http://opensecrets.org/
Analysis & views: 1/5/09 Pay-for-play allegations get Bill Richardson get kicked out of the Commerce Department:. The New Mexico Governor, Obama's choice for Secretary of Commerce, is revealed to have engaged in some dubious "commerce" of his own, in a series of transactions between New Mexico government and corporate bids for transportation contracts. He withdraws from nomination consideration. The Associated Press offers this brief chronology of the events that led to his sidelining. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gvB6Wm8Z1kUPa98Ib9RZCLpMeFbwD95GTRN80 1/3/09 HOow do you get a college building named in your honor? If you're a member of Congress (Charles Rangel of NY), you use your chairmanship of a powerful committee (Ways and Means) to encourage a company (AIG) which is seeking favorable legislation to make a contribution to the building fund of a college (CCNY) which is planning to name a building for you. Now that's the way pay for play is played. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/nyregion/03rangel.html?_r=1&ref=us 12/16/08 The Blagojevich case: Where's the line between a "political crime spree" and and political horse-trading?: New York Times article interviews lawyers who raise that issue. For example, on the issue of trading the Senate seat appointment for an ambassadorship, a skeptic notes that Washington is "full of ambassadors" who had hoped to get a federal job with their campaign contributions. Also, a "legal hurdle" is noted in Patrick Fitzgerald's intention to prosecute Blagojevich: is mere "talking" about a deal a crime if it is never consummated? http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/us/politics/16legal.html?_r=1&hp 12/14/08 "How stupid or brainwashed are most Illinois citizens?" This provocative question is raised by Joel Hirschhorn, noting that Illinois voters in the 2008 election had an opportunity to reform their corrupt government institutions through the mechanism of a new constitutional convention supported by an imposing array of civic institutions. They voted it down. http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/12/illinois-citizens-deserve-corrupt-government 12/13/08 Barack Obama's aides "misspeak" about his relationship with Rod Blagojevich. David Axelrod first said that Obama had spoken with the Illinois Governor about a replacement for himself as U.S. Senator. Rahm Emanuel first said that he and Obama, along with David Wilhelm, were the principle architects of Blagojevich's successful campaign for Governor in 2002. Both Axelrod and Emanuel later say they "misspoke" in making these statements. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/questions-arise.html 12/12/08 One of the "pay to play" allegations against Illinois Governor Blagojevich is that he "tipped off" a contractor about bids on a major Illinois Tollway improvement project and expected a half million dollar campaign contribution in return. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-road-projects-11dec11,0,3008052.story 12/10/08 PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS ARE USED TO THE C. WORD IN THEIR POLITICS, BUT THE F. ONE LEAVES THEM GASPING IN ASTONISHMENT. New York Times article on the arrest of Rod Blagojevich shocks local political observers, who are accustomed to the low-grade corruption of the "old boy" system of politicians in office taking care of their friends, but not the wealth-seeking venality and the profanity-laced references to political rivals uncovered in Patrick Fitzgerald's release of details of his charges against the Governor. What the bleep, Rod, have you come unhinged so you don't play by the "rules" of genteel corruption in Illinois? http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/us/10blago.html?th&emc=thhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/us/10blago.html?th&emc=th 12/10/08 Will "Candidate 1" please step forward? Yesterday's released charges against Illinois Governor include reference to Candidate 1, one of several possible choices for the Governor to fill the Senate seat that Barack Obama has vacated in anticipation of his presidency. From the context of the description of that candidate, it is apparently Obama's long-term close personal advisor (now to be appointed as White House advisor) Valerie Jarrett, whom Obama apparently hoped to be named as his successor in the Senate. The charges include taped statements by Blagojevich of his hope to trade the Senate appointment of "candidate 1" for Obama's agreement to appoint him Secretary of Health and Human Services; as well as his expletive-deleted description of the unwillingness of Obama and his transition team to make the deal. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16348.html 12/7/08 In a hurricane-delayed congressional election, a Republican Vietmanese American defeats corruption-besieged William Jefferson in his re-election bid. http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/jefferson_cao_in_dead_heat.html 11/24/08 Like father, like son? It's pardoning season again.... In 1992, Bush I rescued with late-term pardons several key figures from the Iran-Contra scandal of the Reagan administration and congressional Democrats, eager to push Clinton's ill-fated health care inititiative, did the "move on" maneuver and largely ignored these pardons. As Bush II's administration slinks into the sunset, the decider is likely to decide to pardon people criminally involved with the Iraqi and Afghan invasions and occupations and congressional Democrats, eager to push Obama's health care initiative, are doing the "move on" maneuver and largely ignoring these prospective pardons. An exception is New York congressman Gerald Nadler, who has introduced legislation that would forbid the President to make such pardons. http://www.harpers.org/archive/2008/11/hbc-90003905 11/12/08 With rash of over 24,000 mortgage foreclosures in last 10 months, homeowners in Palm Beach County FL welcome news of impending federal assistance for those face foreclosure http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/business/epaper/2008/11/11/a1a_mortgages_1112.html 9/5/08 Documents show that Rep Charles Rangel (Dem. NY), chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, found a way and means of evading $75,000 in taxes on rental income he received for a house he owned in the Dominican Republic. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/nyregion/05rangel.html?th&emc=th 8/21/08 Using campaign money for defense against "ethics" violation charges:. Draft opinion of Federal Elections Commission says Senator David Vitter of Louisiana may use campaign funds to cover expenses of responding to Senate Ethics Committee inquiries and for consultation fees on "public relations," but not for legal fees associated with monitoring of trial of the "D.C. Madam" with whose "escort service" he was involved http://www.kplctv.com/global/story.asp?s=8873683 1/11/08 Revolving door may work for a Scranton PA casino owner embroiled in legal troubles as he gives job to a former U.S. Attorney. 12/19/07 Impeachment is the elephant in the room for U.S. media:. Just as the media will not "see" (report) on the two most crowd-pleasing candidates in the presidential primaries, Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich, so they do not "see" (report) on what should be newsworthy events like a petition sponsored by leading Democrats and signed by 82,000 Americans to require the House Judiciary Committee to take action on Kucinich's bill to impeach Dick Cheney http://www.counterpunch.org/lindorff12182007.html 12/9/07 Former Speaker of Alaska House sentenced to 6 years for bribery, extortion and perjury in connection with his role in passage of oil industry friendly law. http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/kott/story/9506825p-9416549c.html 11/28/07 Trent Lott about to go through the revolving door: resigning from the Senate, lucrative lobbying opportunities await him. http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/112707B.shtml 11/25/07 With Scott McClellan's tell-all (or some) book, line forms to the right for presidential pardons: Joseph Galloway suggests the last year of the Bush administration will be consumed in following up on the Scooter Libby pardon with a host of pardons issued to other "unindicted co-conspirators" in that administraton. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/galloway/story/21921.html 11/23/07 A cancer is growing on the presidency. New book by former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan insists that Bush and Cheney, among other administration officials, furnished false information that he passed along to the public in press conferences. John Nichols sees in this the shadow of Watergate, in which John Dean's tape-recorded conversation with Richard Nixon about a "cancer growing on the presidency" was instrumental in forcing Nixon's resignation as he was about to be impeached. Nichols asks: is Scott McClellan George Bush's "John Dean?" http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=253417 11/21/07 Scott McClellan spills some beans. The former White House Press Secretary, in a forthcoming book, accuses Bush, Cheney, Rove and Libby as all having "fed him" false information, which he dutifully passed along at press conferences, denying White House involvement in the leak of Valerie Plame's CIA identity. (The House Judiciary Committee has impeachment proceedings against Cheney "referred" to it by House action; maybe the committee should consider questioning Scottie under oath. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/6994.html 11/13/07 Is Dennis Kucinich reaping a bitter harvest of political punishment for introducing Cheney impeachment into the Pelosi "House of wacks?" Linda Millazo thinks so, as she notes the exclusion of Kucinich from a Pelosi-emceed Jefferson-Jackson day dinner in Iowa and the attempt of Tim Russert at a "presidential debate" to marginalize DK by questioning him about having seen a UFO. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/12/5171/ 10/6/07 Gubernatorial candidates in Missouri, the Republican Governor and a Democratic Attorney-General, spar over the legality of the use of the facilities of their respective offices for their campaigning. 8/17/07 FBI investigating connections between oil servicing company that oversaw renovation of home of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, a National Science Foundation grant to the company for polar research, and the Senator's vote to approve that grant. http://www.adn.com/news/politics/veco/story/9225372p-9140312c.html 7/28/07 Criminal charges being considered against officials of the Massachusetts authority responsible for the Big Dig project that collapsed in Boston. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0727/p02s01-usju.html 7/23/07 Long Island's cauliflower scandal emerges as a public official is charged with secret investment in a cauliflower association whose activities transcend the traditional agricultural dominance of this product on the Island. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-licaul0722,0,5454609.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines 7/18/07 "Reform" mayor of San Diego runs into ethics trouble: At issue is the Mayor's role in permitting a developer, one of his campaign contributions, to build a high-rise building in the flight path of the airport in violation of FAA rules. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0718/p03s03-uspo.html?page=1 7/11/07 Former Surgeon-General cites political interference with his work during his 4 years' of service in the Bush administration. 7/9/07 "Democrats and Americans feel betrayed by by the Democratic leadership" says Cindy Sheehan who says she will run against Nancy Pelosi for Congress unless the Speaker files impeachment charges against Bush and Cheney by July 23. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/08/2386/ 7/5/07 AP writer Ron Fournier cites "hypocrisy" of Hillary Clinton in condemning Pres. Bush for commuting jail sentence of Scooter Libby: Fournier notes the record of her own cheerleader/supporter, former President Bill Clinton, in issuing pardons to his own "cronies" as he left office. http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=116&sid=1180970 7/5/07 Avid outdorrsman George W. Bush plays "catch and release" with Scooter Libby: A cartoon by Jake Fuller. http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=editorials 7/4/07 "Corrupt to the core." Keith Olbermann elicits former Ambassador Joseph Wilson's reaction to President Bush having commuted the prison portion of the sentence of for Vice-Presidential aide I. Lewis Libby, Jr. Wilson says that Bush's action shows contempt for the rule of law and conveys the sense that a 30-month sentence is "excessive" for an act that in Wilson's view amounts to treason in having contributed to the diminished security of the country. Video of interview included. http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/070307A.shtml 7/3/07 "By this action the president has guranteed that Mr. Libby has no incentive to begin telling the truth." Former Ambassador Joseph Wilson's reaction to President Bush's decision to set aside the prison sentence for I. Lewis Libby, Jr., convicted for lying to a grand jury about the circumstances of leaking the C.I.A. identity of the Ambassador's wife. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/washington/03libby.html?th&emc=th 6/20/07 Alaska lawmaker indicted for bribery resigns from legislature, citing the "cloud of doubt" that compromises ability to represent his constituents. http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/story/9033784p-8948418c.html 6/8/07 Former Deputy Attorney General tells Senate committee that VP Cheney blocked the promotion of a Justice Department attorney who opposed administration policy on wire-tapping. http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/060707A.shtml 6/6/07 At the White House, possibility of pardon for Lewis Scooter Libby is not even allowed to be discussed, but may become basis of a difficult political decision for Bush if Libby has to start his 2 1/2 year sentence in the next few weeks. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/05/AR2007060501275.html?referrer=email 6/5/07 Harris County (Houston) officials spoil the annual picnic of toll road employees, which in Texas "culture" has traditionally been funded by operators holding or seeking contracts with the tollway authority. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4861910.html 6/2/07 Putting the breaks on Payola for college financial aid officials. After years of ignoring the issue, U.S. Department of Education begins to institute some rules to eliminate or reduce the ways in which student loan venders make payoff gifts to college officials who help students get loans. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/02/education/02educ.html?th&emc=th 4/28/07 Can you lose your job for calling an escort servie for "gals" to come to your house and give you a massage? Apparently you can if you're Deputy Secretary of State in charge of administering U.S. foreign aid. The former C.E.O. of Eli Lilly resigns after questioning on ABC News about this use of an "escort service." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/27/AR2007042702497.html?referrer=email 4/19/07 Controversy over firing of U.S. Attorneys continues as Democrats push for the release of more government documents. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0417/p01s01-uspo.html 4/18/07 Former head of Port of Seattle lived lavishly while he was employed and was granted a large severance bonus by one Authority commissioner, in an action the legality of which is being questioned. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/312076_dinsmore18.html 4/17/07 Attorney General Gonzales says he had only an "indirect" role in the firing of U.S. Attorneys. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/washington/16attorneys.html?th&emc=th 4/14/07 Justice Department releases a "missing" e-mail which contradicts statements of department officials that no replacements were considered before U.S. Attorneys were fired; the e-mail contains a list of candidates made months before the firings occurred and include the candidates' credentials as Republican campaigners. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/14/us/14attorneys.html?th&emc=th 4/11/07 Public criticisms being voiced in Nassau County (Long Island) New York about public officials who use public facilities for personal activities like the County Executive who was driven by a police detective in an unmarked county car to a ball game at Shea Stadium. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lisuoz0411,0,460109.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines 4/6/07 Student loan scandal widens. An official of U.S. Department of Education responsible for overseas student loan programs is accused of profiteering by investment in a student loan company. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/06/education/06loans.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin 4/4/07 Ethics reformers in Maryland are pushing legislature to rescind the practice of legislators being able to support political patronage by their distribuition of college scholarships. 2/24/07 New York state getting serious about combatting political corruption as AG Andrew Cuomo appoints former director of NYPIRG to help develop an internet database of financial connections between corporations, lobbyists and public officials. http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20070223/1051987.asp 2/24/07 Texas scratch-off scandal exposed by Houston Chronicle. State Lottery Commission admits that most of the largest prize winners are already determined before the unknowing consumer buys lottery tickets. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4578036.html 1/18/07 Ethics bill stalls in Senate as Republicans insist on attaching an amendment giving President line-item veto power for appropriations bills. 1/17/07 Sleeping with the lobbyist: current and anticipated "ethics reform" in Congress will probably not bar the spouses of members of Congress from being employed as lobbyists with companies who have urgent interest in congressional legislation. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/16/AR2007011601612.html?referrer=email 1/17/07 Wisconsin political leaders unable to agree on the specifics of a bill to establish a single Government Accountability Board to deal with both ethics violations by officials and with campaign finance irregularities; as agreement on the jurisdiction of this board compared to those of local and state prosecutors has so far not been reached. http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=115095&ntpid=2 1/4/07 Jewish groups in New York are concerned that ethics rules of the state's new Governor, Eliot Spitzer, as well as those contemplated in Congress, will inhibit the ability of civic groups to sponsor visits of public officials to Israel and other "educational" programs. http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13493 11/28/06 Morning after Los Angeles voters passed a "Big Reform" measure was supposed to "clean out" the lobbyists at City Hall, the same lobbyists were hard at work at the same City Hall. http://www.laweekly.com/news/z-files/this-just-in-voters-snookered/14976/ 11/20/06 Several officials in Prince George's County Maryland have used county-issued credit cards to make illegal purchases for personal services at taxpayer expense. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/19/AR2006111901228.html?referrer=email 11/16/06 Go directly to jail! Jack Abramoff is hustled off by Florida judge to begin serving a 6-year sentence over objection of prosecutors who wanted to use his information on alleged bribes involving Karl Rove and what Abramoff describes as "six to eight seriously corrupt Democratic senators." http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/11/abramoff_report_1.html 11/15/06 As Congress passes from Republican to Democratic control, so is there a shift of activity by lobbyists toward cementing their contacts with Democrats. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/15/us/politics/15lobby.html?th&emc=th 11/14/06 Cleaning the stable? Nancy Pelosi's support of John Murtha for House Majority Leader raises questions about the sincerity of her commitment to improving congressional ethics, as Murtha has long faced charges of conflict of interest. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/13/AR2006111300722.html?referrer=email 9/8/06 Former Reagonomics star David Stockmen now faces Wall Street investigation of fraudulent misinforming of investors. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/07/AR2006090701723.html?referrer=email 9/8/06 Owner of DataBaseUSA Inc., a polling firm, is accused of falsifying poll data to submit to President Bush and Senator Lieberman. She sometimes told her poll collectors to talk to "cats and dogs" as they made up their results. In a plea bargain, she faces up to 5 years of jail time. 9/6/06 Land conservation trust, Rep. Jerry Lewis-style: owners of a company that contributed heavily to the Congressman's campaign fund and received millions in government contracts, have further benefitted Lewis by having the city of Redland set aside 41 acres near his home from being developed. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/congressman_land_deal 8/22/06 Federal judge throws out civil judgment against a civilian contractor in Iraq accused to creating a fraudulent currency system. This ruling is based on reasoning that U.S. government was not defrauded but, if there was any fraud, it was against the Coalition Provisional Authority. http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20060819_battles19.32a5220.html 6/17/06 David Sirota on the real corruption in our political system: Those who control the system are content to have the public believe that the egregious acts of a few "bad apples" like Cunningham, DeLay and Jefferson are the real face of corruption when in fact "The truly corrupt interests that own American politics long ago realized that they do not have to pervasively violate our weak anti-corruption laws to get what they want. All they have to do is shower cash on as many lawmakers as possible. These lawmakers, uninterested in biting the hand that feeds them, consequently make sure the overall debate is rigged." http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article13643.htm 5/28/06 A California defense contractor, Brent Wilkes, has become very wealthy by his adroit distribution of campaign contributions to Duke Cunningham and other government officials. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-11-29-cunningham-case_x.htm 5/15/06 Bad apple in Democrats' barrel? West Virginia congressman apparently used his position on House Appropriations Committee to enrich himself: 5/12/06 Republican Governor in Kentucky is indicted by grand jury on charges he traded state jobs for political support; he blames it on his Democratic rival, who is Attorney General of the state: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/11/AR2006051101247.html?referrer=email 5/12/06 Former chief procurement office for OMB offered Abramof his support as he began to run into ethics troubles: http://www.leadingthecharge.com/stories/news-00185901.html 5/11/06 Watchdog groups slam both Republicans and Democrats for their tepid "ethics reform" proposals: http://newstandardnews.net/ 5/10/06 Investigators in the Abramoff lobbying scandal are about to indict GOP Rep. Bob Ney: http://www.onnnews.com/?sec=home&story=10tv/content/pool/200605/755060887.html 5/8/06 Richard Pombo, whose rise to prominence was pumped up by Sierra Club depiction of him as the anti-environmentalist "visigoth," now faces a possible fall as chronics ethics violations start to catch up with him: http://counterpunch.org/stclair05062006.html 5/5/06 Businessman pleads quilty to charges of paying $400,000 to bribe a Louisiana congressman, who was not charged even though the businessman claims that the congressman demanded the bribe: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/05/03/jefferson.bribes/index.html Fellow Democrats say they won't pressure the congressman to resign: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Democrats_will_stand_by_U.S._Rep._0504.html 4/27/06 Republicans expect little political cost from failure to push for stringent ethics reforms: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/26/AR2006042602416.html?referrer=email&referrer=email&referrer=email 4/12/06 Molly Ivins: the daily drip of special favors for special interests: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/11/ivins.congress/ 4/7/06 Opinion: In the face of widespread scandal in D.C., lobbyist reform vanishes: http://www.decaturdailydemocrat.com/articles/2006/04/07/news/opinion/editorial02.txt 4/4/06 Facing likely defeat for re-election, DeLay to give up his seat in Congress: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/04/washington/04delay.html?th&emc=th 4/1/06 California congressman helped get a small town airport closed down, to make way for a campaign contributor to acquire the land for a development: http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/033006/news2.html 3/30/06 Senate passes ethics bill emphasizing disclosure of lobbyist contacts, not gifts to lawmakers: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/29/AR2006032902424.html?referrer=email 3/26/06 Former aide to Tom DeLay was paid over a million dollars from funds collected by U.S. Family Network, a non-profit organization with a pro-family political agenda: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/25/AR2006032501166.html?referrer=email 3/19/06 Washington lobbyists expect to be able to evade Congressional curbs on their activities: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/18/AR2006031801305.html?referrer=email 3/11/06 Move for lobbying bill in Congress loses momentum: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/11/politics/11lobby.html?th&emc=th 3/10/06 Indian tribal chief, at Abramoff's direction, paid $25,000 to Grover Norquist's lobby group and was granted a meeting with President Bush: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/10/politics/10abramoff.html?hp&ex=r=homepage 3/8/06 Texas Republicans ignore DeLay's indictment, re-nominate him for House seat, must now face Democratic challenger: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/14045548.htm 2/25/06 Defense contractor pleads guilty to bribing Congressman Cunningham, implicates other DOD officials and members of Congress in bribery of illegal campaign contributions, including Katherine Harris: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/24/AR2006022401737.html?referrer=email http://www.tampatrib.com/MGBCTZRG3KE.html 2/23/06 The Dubai Port debacle: was the deal "corruption as usual" in supporting actions that will benefit the Administration's corporate allies? http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0222-28.htm 2/23/06 Prosecutors says Congressman Randy Cunningham kept a "bribe menu": http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20060222-9999-1n22duke.html 2/22/06 Rick Santorum, the new voice of "ethics reform" in the Senate, has ethical problems of his own: http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=11189 2/22/06 World of lobbying is alive, well http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/13932129.htm 2/21/06 Promise of congressional ethics legislation flounders in House: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/18/AR2006021801060.html 2/20/06 AG Gonzalez says he won't step aside in Abramoff case: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021706S.shtml 2/17/06 Specter Denies Funneling Money for Lobbyist http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20060217_specter_lobbyist_funnels/ 2/14/06 K-street lobbyists openly boast of "return" in form of government favors on the lobbying "investments" of their clients: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021302239.html?referrer=email&referrer=email&referrer=email 2/11/06 Former General Services Administration official accused of collusion with Abramoff in a land deal: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/10/AR2006021001918.html?referrer=email 2/8/06 Lobby reformist" Boehner rents apartment from D.C. lobbyist: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/07/AR2006020701913.html?referrer=email 2/4/06 Boehner's plan would shift emphasis from banning lobbyist gifts to lawmakers' disclosure of lobbyist contacts: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/03/AR2006020302594.html?referrer=email 2/1/06 Republicans push Bush to release data on Abramoff's White House connections: http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20060130% 2F0303751799.htm&sc=1151&floc=NW_1-T
1/30/06 Filing in Abramoff prosecution asserts he assisted Tyco in trying to avoid federal prosecution: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/012906C.shtml
1/22/06 Clean Up Washington: http://www.cleanupwashington.org/
1/20/06 Press "plays dumb" on lobbyist scandals: http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0119-27.htm 1/10/06 California congressmen: influence in exchange for contributions: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11507.htm 1/10/06 Massive lobbyist establishment in Washington: http://www.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,3604,1682198,00.html 1/10/06 Guardian/UK article on Abramoff scandal: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11505.htm
1/6/06 Will Democrats be able to capitalize on Republican scandals in 06? ** http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=46591
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FLORIDA:
STATEWIDE
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Analysis & views: 1/3/09 Florida House Speaker gets himself a lawyer as he faces ethics charges:. Richard Sansom hires a "high profile" Tallahassee attorney to represent him in legislature's ethics committee examination of his action in allegedly arranging for a large appropriation to a Florida college in exchange for a high-paying job for himelf with that college. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/832122.html 6/5/07 University of Florida seeking to clarify policy on whether and how professors could profit from sale of course materials to students. http://gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/LOCAL/706050330/-1/news 1/16/07 As Florida legislature begins a session to deal with the crisis of property insurance in the state, analysts suggest the clout of the insurance industry with data showing that its agents have spent nearly $6 million on contributions to state campaigns in '06 and on lobbyists who represent them in Tallahassee. 1/1/07 Florida Education Association, which spent hundred of thousands of dollars to try to defeat Charlie Crist for Governor, donates $10,000 to help him celebrate his win---like other donors who are eager to buy a little consideration of their interests by the Governor. http://www.tdo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070101/CAPITOLNEWS/701010319&theme= 12/30/06 Federal judge throws out lawsuit of Florida lobbyists challenging the legislature's passage of a law forbidding their gifts to lawmakers. http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061230/NEWS01/612300314/1006 12/4/06 Termed-out Florida legislator who was architect of ban on lobbyist gifts to legislators becomes a lobbyist himelf for a Naples group. Touting his legislative experience as helpful to his lobbying, his story shows that legislative influence is not necessarily based on "gifts" so long as the revolving door is turning. http://www.tdo.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/CAPITOLNEWS/611300345 11/9/06 With Klein and Mahoney victories on Tuesday, South Florida will now be sending 6 representatives to Congress, and they vow to work for ethics rules, minimum wage and lower drug costs. 9/22/06 Florida congressional Republicans get in line to donate to charity funds equal to those they received from now-disgraced Rep. Bob Ney. Katharine Harris doesn't join that line, saying the money is "already spent." http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15578401.htm 5/4/06 Former Katherine Harris staffers tell Orlando Sentinel that Harris insisted on submitting a proposed defense contract for a campaign contributor for congressional approval even though staff pointed out its impropriety to her: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-harris-050406,0,4827221.story?coll=orl-home-headlines 5/1/06 Common Cause calls for Justice Department investigation of whether Katherine Harris exchanged support for award of a defense contract for a campaign contribution by a now-disgraced defense contractor: 3/3/06 Miami Herald: Florida CFO Gallagher's money dealings with multimillionaire friend raise concerns: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14004277.htm 2/23/06 Investigations of corrupt actions lead DOC chief to freeze employee club operations in state prisons: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060223/LOCAL/202230364/1078/news 2/17/06 State lobbyists going to court to block new state law against gifts to lawmakers: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13892950.htm 2/11/06 Governor fires state prisons boss, D.O.C. investigations widen: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13845295.htm 2/11/06 Former director of state prison privatization board pleads guilty to fraud charges: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/NEWS01/602110317/1010 2/10/06 New Florida law banning lobbyist gifts to legislators may also ban prosecution for non-reporting of lobby contacts: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/gary_fineout/13794900.htm 2/2/06 Is Jeb Bush shredding state records? http://www.rockrivertimes.com/index.pl?cmd=viewstory&cat=2&id=12347 2/1/06 Issue raised of conflict of interest for CFO Gallagher of insurance company investments while he was insurance commissioner: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/APN/601310928&cachetime=5 2/1/06 Gambling lobbyists hit jackpot in Florida legislature: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/marc_caputo/
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Analysis and views: Miami: 12/10/08 Miami-Dade commissioners decide to keep their "cone of silence." On a day when corruption between state officials and contractors bubbles to the surface in Illinois, the MDC decides to stay with a regulation that prevents any contacts between commissioners and agents of companies seeking contracts with the county. Despite some misgivings and concerns about loopholes in the system, Commissioners decide to keep the rule as part of their "reform" effort to control lobbyist influence on political decisions. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/806517.html Orlano: 4/10/08 Disney World is giving VIP passes to elected officials allowing them to cut in lines at theme parks; and they claim these "gifts" are entitled to exemptions from requirements to report lobbyist or campaign contribution expenditures. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-fastpass1008apr10,0,6553939.story Miami: 2/9/08 Good news and bad for Miami's polic chief:. He is given a $16,000 "performance bonus" and, two weeks later is fined $500 for an "ethics violation," specifically his acceptance of a free Lexus from a local car dealer. City official "explains" that the bonus was for performance during an earlier period of time and that it would have been "unfair" to deprive the Chief of a bonus earned before the violation occurred. Presumably he had money to pay the fine from the bonus and enough left over to buy gas for the Lexus for a couple of months. http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/412664.html Lake Worth: 1/8/08 Criminal probe recommended for city of Lake Worth employees who granted a large no-bid contract to a firm for environmental services with little oversight http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/south/epaper/2008/01/08/m1a_lakeworth_0108.html Orlando: 8/16/07 Former representative from Orlando and her former aide are arrested in embezzlement charges, joining the parade of legislature-connected persons with accusations of criminal violations. St. Petersburg: 8/3/07 Pinellas County's unauthorized "emergency" hurricane-restoration work on property of county's property appraiser complicates the ongoing investigation of its purchase of his property for 3 times its appraised value. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/02/Northpinellas/Pinellas_gave_Smith_q.shtml St. Petersburg: 7/31/07 St. Petersburg Times is confronting Pinellas County officials with documents showing they were more involved than they claimed in a land purchase deal involving county's property appraiser. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/31/Northpinellas/Appraiser_s_land_deal.shtml Palm Beach co.: 7/18/07 Palm Beach County Commissioner resigns, tells Governor Crist he will plead guilty to a federal criminal charge. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/07/18/m1a_NEWELL_0718.html Titusville: 7/13/07 Titusville lawmaker will not resign from Florida legislature and will fight in court the charge that he solicited an uncover policeman for oral sex in a park rest room Orlando: 7/6/07 Orlando Sentinel questions the practice of the Central Florida tollway of having had only some bond salesman, Norman Pelligrini, under no-bid contracts for the last 21 years; a practice the authority justifies as providing "continuity" in operations. Jacksonville; 7/4/07 After an investigative report by Jacksonville Times-Union, superintendent of Duval County schools says he will no longer accept compensation for his business travel from companies doing contract business with the school district. http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/070407/met_182055852.shtml Miami: 6/28/07 Embattled head of Miami Housing Agency, facing numerous questions about possible corruption in her administration of the agency, steps down after apparently negotiating a favorable pension settlement for herself. http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/153763.html Miami: 6/22/07 Police in Miami are rounding up 10 or 11 present or former city employees accused of illegally operating a consulting business out of their city offices. http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/147570.html Miami: 6/12/07 A Miami housing director is revealed as having steered large contracts toward a company employing an ex-husband who had recently served a jail term for corruption. http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/136627.html Miami: 6/8/07 Investigative report by Miami New Times suggests that a Miami-Dade county commissioner used his political power to bully a rival for property to develop a shooting range http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2007-06-07/news/target-identified/ Miami: 6/5/07 What conflict of interest? One lobbyist in Miami represents all sides in a three-way battle over billboards in the area. http://www.miamiherald.com/884/story/128810.html Orlando: 4/28/07 As Orange County and Orlando City commissioners pour millions of dollars of public money into facilities demanded by Orlando Magic, they are able enjoy the privilege of buying stadium tickets at deep discounts not available to the public. Orlando: 4/12/07 Orlando Sentinel investigation indicates that the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority may have paid $3 million more for consulting from a firm connected to former Governor Jeb Bush than might have been charged by its competitors. Miami: 3/2/07 High cost of a slice of watermelon: leading Miami developer expected to be arrested today on charge of spending tens of thousands of dollars intended for affordable housing by Miami-Dade Housing Agency to buy himself a sculpture of a watermelon slice http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/28683.html Palm Beach Co.: 2/9/07 State Attorney orders a second grand jury to investigate allegations of a "pay-for-play" relationship between Palm Beach County officials and businesses with which they deal. Palm Beach Co.: 2/3/07 Grand jury in West Palm Beach FL concludes that developers in Palm Beach County "perceive" that there is a "pay-for-play" mentality among county officials to the effect that favorable county actions depend on their campaign contributions to candidates. Palm Beach Co.: 1/24/07 Palm Beach FL County's property appraiser, mired in a conflict with county commissioners about his appraisal practices, claims that a "culture of corruption" pervades the corridors of power in the county. Palm Beach Co.: 12/31/06 Palm Beach (FL) Post reviews 2006 as a "year of scandal" in Palm Beach County. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2006/12/31/m1a_SCANDAL_1231.html Palm Beach County: 11/25/06 New Day for Palm Beach County? County commissioners, still stinging from the scandal that caused the resignation of Tony Masilotto and perhaps from the embarrassment of Mark Foley, welcome new commissioners and proclaim a hope for better days ahead. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pbcwest/content/local_news/epaper/2006/11/22/.html Hollywood: 11/19/06 Hollywood FL city commissioner, now suspended, used his position to benefit his business partners in a major city contract for sewage disposal. Jacksonville: 11/3/06 Corruption or campaign gimmick? Member of Vote Jacksonsville, which supports return of Navy to Cecil Field on next week's ballot, files ethics complaint against Mayor John Payton, saying his opposition against is based on his family's financial interests; Mayor says there is a "firewall" separating his public actions from his private interests. http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/110206/met_5961836.shtml Palm Beach: 11/3/06 U.S. Attorney in Palm Beach is developing an extensive prosecution case against former County Commissioner Tony Masilotti centering around his relationship with a local developer. West Palm Beach: 10/31/06 Other corrupt office-holders take note: Tony Masilotti, former chairman of Palm Beach County Commission, resigns and offers to plead guilty to charges not yet framed by U.S. Attorney, in which he will be accused of violating state's law against "honest services fraud," by which those who use their public offices for private gain can be prosecuted in the absence of actual bribe. http://www.bocanews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=17846&category=Main%20Headline%202 Palm Beach County: 10/29/06 In Palm Beach County, it's not just Mark Foley: a city commissioner and county commissioner have recently resigned in disgrace, and one of them is headed for jail. All three being Republican, it adds to the GOP's election "woes." Miami: 3/15/06 Miami Herald says City Manager Arriola in violation of Miami-Dade County ethics rules for failure to disclose investments: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14100373.htm Davie: 3/2/06 Davie (Ft. Lauderdale area) public works official accused to letting a contract for city services to a company in which his son was an official: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13994767.htm Miami: 2/17/06 Miami teacher charged students a dollar to skip gym classes: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/16/AR2006021602159.html?referrer=email Miami: How ex- administrator scammed town of Davie: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/states/florida/counties/broward_co Gainesville: 2/2/06 Commissioner Brady's DUI arrest; holding police "accountable." (2 stories on this site): http://townsquarenews.com/
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