Pete Sessions's blimp flies into storm
"Rep. Pete Sessions — the chief of the Republicans’ campaign arm in the House — says on his website that earmarks have become “a symbol of a broken Washington to the American people.”
"Yet in 2008, Sessions himself steered a $1.6 million earmark for dirigible research to an Illinois company whose president acknowledges having no experience in government contracting, let alone in building blimps."
"What the company did have: the help of Adrian Plesha, a former Sessions aide with a criminal record who has made more than $446,000 lobbying on its behalf."
Showing posts with label Corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corruption. Show all posts
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Watch: Murtha
CBS News: FBI is looking into the connection between campaign contributions to Murtha and Murtha's earmarks.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Rangel Watch
Unraveling Rangel
"We took a look at his filings going all the way back to 1978, the first year members were required to disclose information on their personal finances, and found 28 instances in which he failed to report acquiring, owning or disposing of assets. Assets worth between $239,026 and $831,000 appear or disappear with no disclosure of when they were acquired, how long they were held, or when they were sold, as the operative House rules at the time required."
"We took a look at his filings going all the way back to 1978, the first year members were required to disclose information on their personal finances, and found 28 instances in which he failed to report acquiring, owning or disposing of assets. Assets worth between $239,026 and $831,000 appear or disappear with no disclosure of when they were acquired, how long they were held, or when they were sold, as the operative House rules at the time required."
Solis Watch
Solis Senate Session Postponed in Wake of Husband's Tax Lien Revelations
"A Senate committee today abruptly canceled a session to consider President Obama's nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis to be labor secretary in the wake of a report saying that her husband yesterday paid about $6,400 to settle tax liens against his business -- including liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years."
"The right is in a lather because they contend Solis violated House ethics rules by serving as a de-facto lobbyist."
"Solis didn't disclose her uncompensated service with ARW for three years, rectifying this recently as soon as the oversight was disclosed"
link
"A Senate committee today abruptly canceled a session to consider President Obama's nomination of Rep. Hilda Solis to be labor secretary in the wake of a report saying that her husband yesterday paid about $6,400 to settle tax liens against his business -- including liens that had been outstanding for as long as 16 years."
"The right is in a lather because they contend Solis violated House ethics rules by serving as a de-facto lobbyist."
"Solis didn't disclose her uncompensated service with ARW for three years, rectifying this recently as soon as the oversight was disclosed"
link
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
More Tax Problems: Nancy Killefer
"Nancy Killefer, nominated by President Barack Obama to be the federal government's first chief performance officer, is withdrawing from the post, the White House said Tuesday."
""I recognize that your agenda and the duties facing your Chief Performance Officer are urgent," Killefer wrote in a letter to the president asking him to withdraw her name. "I have also come to realize in the current environment that my personal tax issue of D.C. Unemployment tax could be used to create exactly the kind of distraction and delay those duties must avoid.""
Performance Czar Killefer Withdraws Candidacy
""I recognize that your agenda and the duties facing your Chief Performance Officer are urgent," Killefer wrote in a letter to the president asking him to withdraw her name. "I have also come to realize in the current environment that my personal tax issue of D.C. Unemployment tax could be used to create exactly the kind of distraction and delay those duties must avoid.""
Performance Czar Killefer Withdraws Candidacy
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tax Problems
Given the recent revelations of the lack of payments, the IRS should audit everyone in government and everyone doing business with the government.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Rangel Watch: No Interest or Penalties
I wonder why a powerful politician does not have to pay penalties?
GOP Congressman Intros 'Rangel Rule'
"Rangel, who writes the country's tax policies, acknowledged last fall that he failed to pay thousands in real estate taxes for rental income he earned from a property in the Dominican Republic.
As of September 2008 the Harlem Democrat reportedly paid back more than $10,000 in taxes but that did not include any IRS penalties."
Rep. Carter introduced a bill Wednesday to eliminate all IRS penalties and interest for paying taxes past due.
The legislation calls for the creation of what he calls the, "Rangel Rule," -- drawing attention to the recent legal issues of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., enabling citizens who fail to pay taxes on time to do so later with no additional fees.
GOP Congressman Intros 'Rangel Rule'
"Rangel, who writes the country's tax policies, acknowledged last fall that he failed to pay thousands in real estate taxes for rental income he earned from a property in the Dominican Republic.
As of September 2008 the Harlem Democrat reportedly paid back more than $10,000 in taxes but that did not include any IRS penalties."
Rep. Carter introduced a bill Wednesday to eliminate all IRS penalties and interest for paying taxes past due.
The legislation calls for the creation of what he calls the, "Rangel Rule," -- drawing attention to the recent legal issues of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., enabling citizens who fail to pay taxes on time to do so later with no additional fees.
Daschle Watch: Not Paying Taxes
Can the Democrats find honest politicians? I guess paying taxes is only for rich Republicans.
Daschle Paid $100,000 in Back Taxes During Vetting
"Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, President Barack Obama's nominee for the secretary of Health and Human Services, paid around $100,000 in back taxes after his nomination to pay for a car and driver he was supplied but did not report as income, according to documents being prepared by the Senate Finance Committee."
Daschle Paid $100,000 in Back Taxes During Vetting
"Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, President Barack Obama's nominee for the secretary of Health and Human Services, paid around $100,000 in back taxes after his nomination to pay for a car and driver he was supplied but did not report as income, according to documents being prepared by the Senate Finance Committee."
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Blagojevich Watch:
Illinois Governor Blagojevich joins recent Democratic governors from New York and New Jersey in losing their jobs.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Rangel Watch:
link
"Last week, a report by the New York Times charged that Rangel had helped bury a Senate proposal that would have raised taxes on a businessman who had pledged a $1 million donation to the City College center." The building would be named after Rangel.
" The Times piece described a Feb. 12, 2007, meeting at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. It said Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR) Chief Executive Eugene Isenberg, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and Rangel discussed Isenberg's financial support for the City College center.
According to the Times, Rangel and Isenberg then moved across the room where they discussed with Kenneth J. Kies, a lobbyist for Nabors, Rangel's opposition to a Senate proposal that would raise taxes on Nabors. "
"Last week, a report by the New York Times charged that Rangel had helped bury a Senate proposal that would have raised taxes on a businessman who had pledged a $1 million donation to the City College center." The building would be named after Rangel.
" The Times piece described a Feb. 12, 2007, meeting at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City. It said Nabors Industries Ltd. (NBR) Chief Executive Eugene Isenberg, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau and Rangel discussed Isenberg's financial support for the City College center.
According to the Times, Rangel and Isenberg then moved across the room where they discussed with Kenneth J. Kies, a lobbyist for Nabors, Rangel's opposition to a Senate proposal that would raise taxes on Nabors. "
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Blagojevich Watch
Ill. Gov Blagojevich arrested on corruption charges
"Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by fellow Democrat President-elect Barack Obama, federal prosecutors said."
"Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by fellow Democrat President-elect Barack Obama, federal prosecutors said."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Jefferson Watch: Ousted by Voters
Voters Oust Indicted Congressman in Louisiana
"Representative William J. Jefferson was defeated by a little-known Republican lawyer here Saturday in a late-running Congressional election, underscoring the sharp demographic shifts in this city since Hurricane Katrina and handing Republicans an unexpected victory in a district that had been solidly Democratic."
"Representative William J. Jefferson was defeated by a little-known Republican lawyer here Saturday in a late-running Congressional election, underscoring the sharp demographic shifts in this city since Hurricane Katrina and handing Republicans an unexpected victory in a district that had been solidly Democratic."
Friday, December 5, 2008
Rangel Watch - Campaign Funds
link
"Between 2004 and 2007, Rep. Charles Rangel steered nearly $80,000 in campaign cash to an Internet company run by his son — paying lavishly for a pair of political websites so poorly designed an expert estimated one should have cost no more than $100 to create."
"Between 2004 and 2007, Rep. Charles Rangel steered nearly $80,000 in campaign cash to an Internet company run by his son — paying lavishly for a pair of political websites so poorly designed an expert estimated one should have cost no more than $100 to create."
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Rangel Watch
link
"Six members of the Congressional Black Caucus may have violated House ethics rules by attending a three-day conference paid for by a number of powerful corporations early last month on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin."
"Rangel could have been working on his beach body for that Caribbean conference by exercising in his semi-secret personal gym inside the Capitol. "
"Six members of the Congressional Black Caucus may have violated House ethics rules by attending a three-day conference paid for by a number of powerful corporations early last month on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin."
"Rangel could have been working on his beach body for that Caribbean conference by exercising in his semi-secret personal gym inside the Capitol. "
Thursday, November 13, 2008
LCD makers fined $585 million for price fixing
link
"Asian LCD makers fined by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed regret over the price-fixing schemes that led to US$585 million in fines."
"The LCD makers fixed prices from a time period between April, 2001 to near the end of 2006, according to the DOJ."
So does this mean we can see further decreases in prices?
"Asian LCD makers fined by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed regret over the price-fixing schemes that led to US$585 million in fines."
"The LCD makers fixed prices from a time period between April, 2001 to near the end of 2006, according to the DOJ."
So does this mean we can see further decreases in prices?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Ted Stevens Watch
Found guilty on all counts. In a close race, he will probably lose. Expect a 60-seat majority in the Senate for Democrats now.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
New York Times: Acorn Report Raises Issues of Legality
New York Times
"An internal report by a lawyer for the community organizing group Acorn raises questions about whether the web of relationships among its 174 affiliates may have led to violations of federal laws."
"An internal report by a lawyer for the community organizing group Acorn raises questions about whether the web of relationships among its 174 affiliates may have led to violations of federal laws."
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tenn. lawmaker's son indicted in Palin hack
"The son of a Democratic Tennessee state lawmaker pleaded not guilty Wednesday to hacking the e-mail account of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
David Kernell, 20, of Knoxville, Tennessee entered the plea in federal court in Knoxville, the same day prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging him with intentionally accessing Palin's e-mail account without authorization."
link
David Kernell, 20, of Knoxville, Tennessee entered the plea in federal court in Knoxville, the same day prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging him with intentionally accessing Palin's e-mail account without authorization."
link
More ACORN fraud allegations in Nevada
I suspect that ACORN is using massive fraudulent forms to overwhelm the system. With early registration, many fraudulent votes may get through without proper verification. It is possible that a few votes could determine the outcome of this election. We may see a prolong legal battle at the end of this election.
ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe
"Nevada authorities seized records Tuesday from a group they accused of submitting fraudulent voter-registration forms — including for the starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys."
"Bertha Lewis, interim chief organizer for ACORN, said the group has been working with election officials to weed out fraudulent forms from those submitted by the canvassers it hires.
"Today's raid by the secretary of state's office is a stunt that serves no useful purpose other than to discredit our work registering Nevadans," Lewis said."
"According to its national Web site, the group has registered 1.3 million people nationwide for the Nov. 4 election. It has encountered complaints of fraud stemming from registration efforts in Wisconsin, North Carolina, New Mexico, Michigan, Ohio and Missouri."
ACORN office in Vegas raided in voter-fraud probe
"Nevada authorities seized records Tuesday from a group they accused of submitting fraudulent voter-registration forms — including for the starting lineup of the Dallas Cowboys."
"Bertha Lewis, interim chief organizer for ACORN, said the group has been working with election officials to weed out fraudulent forms from those submitted by the canvassers it hires.
"Today's raid by the secretary of state's office is a stunt that serves no useful purpose other than to discredit our work registering Nevadans," Lewis said."
"According to its national Web site, the group has registered 1.3 million people nationwide for the Nov. 4 election. It has encountered complaints of fraud stemming from registration efforts in Wisconsin, North Carolina, New Mexico, Michigan, Ohio and Missouri."
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