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CORRUPTION UPDATES 28 January 2nd to the 6th, 2007 The CORRUPTION UPDATES reviews corruption in the news. News Stories from California, the Nation and the World are abstracted below, and followed by commentary and references. |
CORRUPTION UPDATE 28
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1) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LA TIMES, 1-2-07:
Lobbyists Hired to Align With Congress
By JIM KUHNHENN
Associated Press Writer
10:50 AM PST,
January 2, 2007
“WASHINGTON — New Democratic
lawmakers aren't the only ones measuring for drapes and unsealing
boxes. In a job swapping cycle unseen for some time, Democratic
congressional aides and former members are leaping to lucrative
lobbying posts, Democratic lobbyists are grabbing for influential
jobs in Congress and advocacy groups are waging bidding wars for the
best talent around.”
“Accustomed to dealing with
Republicans and at times discouraged by Republican lawmakers from
hiring Democrats, lobbying firms and business groups are now filling
their ranks with policy experts and lobbyists more closely aligned
with the new leadership on Capitol Hill.”
“For
years, the Republican Party, led by House GOP leader Tom DeLay,
promoted a plan to put more Republicans in key lobbying positions.
Now, some trade groups are scrambling to correct the imbalance.”
“Some companies and business groups are building
bridges with Democrats in other ways. AT&T and Boeing are among
corporations that already have given money to incoming Democratic
lawmakers in the last few weeks, even though they supported their
Republican opponents during the campaign.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
LOBBYISTS HIRING-BRIBING DEMS
SHIFTING FUNDS AND PERSONELL TO DEMS ASSURES NO REAL CHANGES
The actions by the lobbying “industry” tell us that there is no change in ethics happening with the changing of the guard in Congress.
Changing a culture of bribery, not just changing its appearance, is beyond the moral and ethical capacity of the Dems, as it is beyond the ken of Repub thought.
Eliminating the open bribery that sickens our polity is up to us, the American people. If we are not up for the job, it will not get done.
Join us.
Also see:
Corruption Update 26, 1st article on page, “Time to Party, just bring the Checkbook”
Corruption Updates 21, 8th article on page, “Dems Big Chance to Reap the Rewards of Corruption: Political Victory Opens Doors of Lobbying Firms to Demo Insiders”
Corruption Updates 20, 6th article on page, “DEMS RECEIVE SPECIAL INTEREST BRIBES ANTICIPATING VICTORY IN NOV”
2) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE SF CHRON, 1-2-07:
Bribery
thrives as big business in Putin's Russia
- Michael Mainville, Chronicle Foreign Service
Tuesday, January 2,
2007
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/02/MNG8QNBCTN1.DTL&type=printable
“(01-02) 04:00 PST Moscow -- Like many Russians, Nikolai can't even count the number of bribes he has paid in his lifetime.”
“He remembers the big ones, like the $1,000 he paid to avoid mandatory military service or the $1,200 he gave his wife's obstetrician to ensure her a place at one of Moscow's state-run maternity hospitals. But the small ones, like the dozens of $10 to $20 bribes he's handed to traffic police over the years, are instantly forgotten.”
“In recent weeks, Russia's Health Ministry has been embroiled in a slew of corruption scandals. Several senior officials were arrested last month on charges of taking kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies and computer firms bidding for contracts to provide high-tech equipment. On Dec. 10, police said they also were investigating the possible embezzlement at the ministry of millions of dollars in funds meant to pay for children's summer vacations at health resorts.”
“ "Russia is more corrupt now than at any time in the last 10 years. It's part of the system and it's one of most profitable businesses in the country," said Kirill Kabanov, chairman of Russia's National Anti-Corruption Committee, a nongovernmental group.”
“With the economy booming thanks to high oil prices, there is more opportunity for bureaucrats to demand bribes. At the same time, Putin's drive to concentrate more power in the hands of the state has created thousands more government employees looking for handouts. Since 2002, the number of Russian bureaucrats has grown from 1.1 million to 1.5 million, said Elena Panfilova, the head of Transparency International's Russia office.”
“Panfilova said there are signs that Putin may be gearing up for a more serious fight against corruption before his final term as president ends in 2008. Russia signed on this year to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and ratified the Council of Europe's Convention on Corruption.”
“The recent arrests at the Health Ministry also may be the harbinger of a growing crackdown.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
BRIBERY RISES WITH CORPORATE TRANSITION IN RUSSIA
RUSSIA FOLLOWING AMERICA BY TALKING DEMOCRACY AND DOING BRIBERY
Russia is enjoying the side effects of transitioning to a capitalistic economy. One of the dangers of a capitalistic economic system is having your principals of government, whatever they are, replaced by bribery.
The problem is that business people come to the mistaken belief that capitalism is a political, rather than an economic, practice.
This empowers the rich and greedy to replace democratic principals and a democratic system with a system of bribery. Although we say we are a “democracy,” political policy is purchased, rather than formed by democratic process.
Pay for play politics has ruined our democracy, and it is spreading across Russia.
The Russians must be confused. Greed and corruption are neither socialistic nor democratic, but a degradation of whichever system it appears within. How do you deal with that?
We wish honest Russians the best of luck.
3) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LA TIMES, 1-4-06:
Probation given in O.C. voter registration scandal
Democratic signers were switched to Republican during 'bounty hunter' drive.
By Christine Hanley, Times Staff Writer
January 4, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-voter4jan04,1,2692848.story?coll=la-headlines-politics
“A couple who
admitted to their roles in an Orange County voter registration scandal each were
sentenced Wednesday to three years' formal probation.”
“Jason
Holly, 36, and Jessica Sundell, 23, were among 12 people arrested
last fall and charged with signing up voters during a registration
drive that resulted in dozens of Democrats fraudulently being signed
up as Republicans.”
OC VOTER REG CHEATS GIVEN PROBATION
LITTLE CROOKS GET HANDS SLAPPED, BIG CROOKS WALK
Is there something bad in the water of OC that corrupts politicians who drink of it?
See, “GOP in OC Sells endorsements,” Corruption Updates 8, 3rd article on page.
See, “Pay to Play in OC Denied...” Corruption Updates 11, 1st article on page.
See “Pay to Play in OC: Fundraiser Canceled...,” Corruption Updates 11, 4th article on page.
See, “OC Repubs Cannot Stop Embarrassing themselves,” Corruption Updates 20 , 7th article on page. (Voter Fraud)
See “OC DA, Sheriff, and Jaramillo intertwined in corruption and court” Corruption Updates 23, 5th article on page.
Corruption Updates 28, 3rd article on the page, "OC Voter Fraud Punished"
Mike Carona calls his verdict an 'absolute miracle' VIDEO: Ex-sheriff found guilty of witness tampering only, OC Register, Friday, January 16, 2009
4) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LA TIMES, 1-4-07:
Bush, Democrats joust over earmarks
By Noam N. Levey
Times Staff
Writer
January 4,
2007
“WASHINGTON — Eager to set themselves apart
from a Republican-led Congress tarnished by scandal, Democrats
outlined a plan Wednesday to end the secrecy around earmarks
inserted in legislation to funnel public money to favored
interests.”
“ "We're going to stamp out
corruption, and the proof is in the package," Rep. Louise M.
Slaughter (D-N.Y.) said as she outlined reform measures that
Democrats would put to a vote today and Friday.”
“But
in a sign of how much the election has pushed reform to the top of
the agenda, President Bush strode before cameras Wednesday to
highlight his overhaul ideas even before the Democrats unveiled
theirs.”
“ "We need to do more," said
the president, who read a brief statement in the Rose Garden that
called on the new Democratic Congress to halve the number and cost
of earmarks.”
“Under Republican congressional
leadership, the amount of federal funds earmarked has nearly tripled
since 1994, reaching $67.1 billion in fiscal 2006, according to the
Congressional Research Service.”
“Though House Democratic leaders are seeking to dramatically increase transparency in the earmarking process, they would not mandate that information about who inserts an earmark be posted in a place the public can easily access it, such as the Internet.”
“Democrats also do not plan to make it easier to remove earmarks when legislation comes to the full House for a vote.”
“Bush has only occasionally criticized the proliferation of earmarking. And since taking office, he has never vetoed an appropriations bill, even as the number of earmarks in the spending measures more than doubled to about 13,000.”
Value of earmarks |
|
Number of earmarks |
|
(billions) |
|
|
|
2006 |
$67,061 |
13,012 |
|
2005 |
$48,149 |
15,899 |
|
2004 |
$46,289 |
14,052 |
|
2002 |
$42,848 |
10,601 |
|
2000 |
$32,959 |
6,085 |
|
1998 |
$27,674 |
4,219 |
|
1996 |
$20,336 |
3,052 |
|
1994 |
$24,468 |
4,174 |
|
THE
COMMITTEE SAYS:
HOUSE DEMS PRETEND EARMARK REFORM
DEMS TARGET EARMARKS, BUT NOT THE SPECIAL INTEREST BRIBERY THAT TRIGGERS THEM
The Dems claim to “stamp out corruption” is laughable. Apparently, the Dems define corruption as consisting of a meal, or an airplane ride, rather than describing corruption as the purchase of political influence with money.
The Dems are making a lot of noise about “stamping out” the superficial manifestations of corruption, while maintaining the corruption itself. The Dems definition of corruption is as misleading as is Bush's definition of torture:
In the halls of Congress, Speaker Pelosi made a point of running Mr. Murtha as the second Dem honcho. Although he lost, Mr. Murtha is moving into a position of importance as the Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
This is like putting the Fox in Charge of the Henhouse, while claiming to “stamp out heneating” by foxes, for Murtha is the poster child of Democratic party corruption. Mr. Murtha's importance in the new Congress indicates that the system of bribery will remain intact as the leadership of Congress changes.
Pelosi does earmarks well and often, LA Times, 11-13-06, “Speaker-to-be is no stranger to earmarking,” (abstract at LA Times archive, #52 under Richard Simon search)
Corruption Updates 14, 5th article on page, “Earmarks Continue”
Corruption Updates 19, 1st article on page, “Top Recipients of Lobbyists Bribes are Leadership of Both Parties”
Corruption Update 20, 6th article on page, "Business Groups Woo Dems"
Corruption Update 26, 1st article on page, “Time to Party, just bring the Checkbook,”
Corruption Update 28, 6th article on page, "SENATE DEMS PRETEND EARMARK REFORM:DEMS TARGET THE PAYOFFS, BUT NOT THE BRIBERY"
Corruption Update 30, 2nd article on page, "Democrats set back on earmarks"
The Next Two Articles, CU 28, 5 and 6, Following Below, also deal with Earmarks
See this informative article on Murtha:
Corruption Updates 14, 10th article on page, “Trading Votes for Pork across the House Aisle”
See: Interesting information about our new Chairman of the House Appropreations Committee: http://www.answers.com/topic/john-murtha
See: Listing for CREW in Answers.com, which lists Murtha as a member to watch for corrupt practices. Quite an honor!
(Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington)
On the Dems fudraising leading up to the election:
Corruption Updates 20, 6th article on page, “Buisness Groups Woo Dems”
Corruption Updates 20, 1st article on page, “Pelosi Collects Millions”
Corruption Updates 21, 8th article on page.“lobbyists could change if Dems Win”
Link list for Democrat lobbyist/Earmark Corruption.
5) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY AP, 1-5-07:
Senate keys on ethics, lobbying overhaul
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer
Published 1:46 pm
PST Friday, January 5, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/v-print/story/3464754p-12678778c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - On the heels of new ethics rules adopted this week in the House, Senate Democrats mapped plans Friday for changing federal law to address the ethical lapses of lawmakers and their ties with lobbyists that helped bring the downfall of Republicans in the November elections.”
“Democrats will also try to strengthen the bill with amendments to extend the ban on gifts to entities that hire lobbyists, increase criminal penalties for violations of lobbying disclosure laws and make it easier to eliminate provisions slipped into House-Senate conference reports at the last minute.”
“The Senate would also change its rules to bring more daylight to lawmakers' pet projects, known as "earmarks," make House-Senate conference reports more open to scrutiny and end the practice of individual senators secretly holding up legislation.”
“The Senate bill to be taken up Monday does not touch on campaign or election changes. Democratic aides said Friday those would be addressed separately after going through committee hearings.”
“The Senate would make former members wait two years, up from the current one year, before they can lobby their old colleagues. Professional lobbyists would have to disclose their involvement in grass-roots efforts to encourage the public to contact their representatives through phone calls or television ads.”
“Neither the House or Senate address the issue of whether to create an office of public integrity, an independent body to investigate ethics complaints against lawmakers. Pelosi and House Republican leader John Boehner have agreed to set up a task force to study the idea.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
SENATE DEMS PRETEND EARMARK REFORM
AGAIN, DEMS TARGET THE PAYOFFS, BUT NOT THE BRIBERY
We are getting the snow job of a lifetime. Prediction: there will be no substantive change to the system of special interest corruption that funds both parties from this new Congress.
We will see a set of cosmetic, superficial reforms designed to create the appearance of propriety, while bribery not only persists, but flourishes under Democratic leadership.
It would be a fine day if the Dems, or the Repubs, found democracy. The Committee would disband, confident in the sufficiency of the people to regulate their own affairs.
But the odds are that the Democrats are merely “lipsticking the Pig,” and nothing more.
If you are getting the feeling of deja-vu, you're right. We have been in this same situation before, and seen and heard this same old shit before. The Dems and Repubs throw each other out of office for corruption.
The real question is how many times are the people going to tolerate this song and dance before we get together and fix it?
6) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LA TIMES, 1-4-07:
Prosecutors demand files of 3 House panels
“The subpoenas step up a U.S. probe of earmarks in spending measures.”
By Richard B. Schmitt
Times
Staff Writer
January 4, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-subpoena4jan04,1,5828324.story?coll=la-headlines-politics
“WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors in San
Diego have subpoenaed documents
from three House committees as part of an investigation into
special-interest earmarks in spending bills.”
“The
demand ratchets up an investigation by the U.S. attorney's
office in San Diego into
contracts awarded by the Defense Department and other agencies. The
probe stems from the bribery case against Rep. Randy "Duke"
Cunningham (R-Rancho Santa Fe), who pleaded guilty and resigned in
2005.”
“The scope of the investigation is
unclear, although the request for documents is considered unusually
broad.”
“The subpoenas went to the armed
services, appropriations and intelligence committees, whose
Republican chairmen reported the subpoenas to outgoing House Speaker
J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) in letters dated two weeks ago.”
“The subpoenas are an escalation of a nine-month
tug-of-war between the Justice Department and House Republicans.
Prosecutors had asked the committees to turn over the information
voluntarily.”
“Pelosi campaigned in the fall on a platform of open and honest government, and has made one of her first orders of business an ethics package that would identify members of Congress who inserted earmarks for pet projects into bills.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
FED PROSECUTORS CHECK EARMARK PAYOFFS IN 3 HOUSE COMMITTEES
WILL HOUSE ALLOW REAL INVESTIGATION, OR LEAVE IT TO THE “ETHICS” COMMITTEE?
Expect the House to resist giving up records like an impacted molar holds on to your jaw. It's not because they want to protect Cunningham. It's because they were all doing EXACTLY the same thing.
Granted, most members were not as crude as Cunningham, explicitly demanding bribes for favors, or favorable legislation. But they were all taking money from special interests that had the expectation of a return on their investments. So, they paid the bribery off with earmarks.
Virtually every member paid off their special interest bribes with the power of their office. Legislation, quashing legislation, applying pressure on regulatory agencies, or outright payoffs with earmarks are the standard form of payment for bribing our politicians. The Dems are just as guilty as the Repubs.
Open government is vital to democracy. Expect the House to resist open government as strongly as they have resisted democracy.
7) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY AP, 1-5-07:
Prosecutors: Ney at Center of Conspiracy
By MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writer
10:34
AM PST, January 5, 2007
“WASHINGTON — Facing at
least two years in prison, former Rep. Bob Ney is trying to play
down his role in a bribery scandal. Prosecutors are pushing for a
harsher sentence, portraying him at the center of a conspiracy that
sold congressional services for cash.”
“Ney, an
Ohio Republican, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy and making
false statements, admitting that he traded official actions for
expensive trips, sports tickets, lavish meals and campaign donations
from lobbyist Jack Abramoff, now serving a prison sentence.”
“They described a
web of associates -- including congressional staffers and Abramoff's
clients -- who put a price on various government acts. Among those
listed in the documents:”
“* For a $10,000
donation to the National Republican Campaign Committee, Abramoff got
Ney to insert kind words about the lobbyist's new business venture
into the Congressional Record.”
“* For $32,000
in political donations to Ney, Abramoff told one of his clients, an
American Indian tribe, that it could buy Ney's support for
legislation favorable to the tribe.”
“* For
about $50,000 in casino chips, a foreign businessman influenced Ney
to contact the State Department about trade rules on behalf.”
“This week, prosecutors added a new detail. In 2003, Neil Volz, an Abramoff employee and former top Ney aide, arranged for the congressman to personally resolve a passport dispute for the daughter of Russian energy executive Alexander Koulakovsky, an Abramoff client.”
“Koulakovsky
has been linked in the Abramoff case to former House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay, R-Texas. The Washington Post has reported that
Koulakovsky hired Abramoff to arrange meetings with DeLay and lobby
for federal aid.”
“Koulakovsky and his business
partner have been linked to a $1 million check to a charity
sponsored by DeLay that charity officials said was intended to
influence a DeLay vote, the newspaper reported.”
“Ney is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 19. Prosecutors are pushing for 29 months in prison. Ney's attorneys say the sentence should be two years.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
PROSECUTORS CLAIM NEY “CENTER” OF CORRUPTION
THEN WHY DID THEY ONLY ASK FOR A SHORT SENTENCE?
If Ney is at the center of a conspiracy of corruption, then why the heck didn't they throw the book at him? Ney should be facing decades in prison for betraying our democracy.
This case exposes the ridiculousness of our campaign finance laws. Non-voting special interests are allowed to inject billions into our elections, yet their bribery only becomes a crime if they overtly, explicitly, ask for the favors and special treatment everybody knows they are buying.
A close examination of the patterns of earmarking will show that the recipients of earmarks match the contributors of the members who placed the earmark. A pattern of corruption will emerge.
So expect any Congress, be it Repub or Dem, to jealousy guard its privilege, its privilege to rip America off.
Ney is still enjoying this privilege, as indicated by the leniency of his prosecution.
Also See:
Corruption Updates10, 5th article, “Ney Pled Guilty to Corruption:One Down, the rest of our Legislature to Go”
Corruption Updates 18, 3rd article, “Congressman Ney Convicted of Bribery”
Corruption Updates 28, 7th article, “Prosecutors: Ney at Center of Conspiracy”
8) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE BEE, 1-6-07:
Perata puts 3 on state panels
“Former lawmakers gain lucrative jobs on boards, commissions.”
By Judy Lin - Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, January 6, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/391/v-print/story/103779.html
“Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata on Friday added three former colleagues to a growing list of politicians and Capitol insiders who sit on lucrative boards and commissions.”
“Chesbro, Figueroa and Chan join a long line of lawmakers, legislative staffers and insiders who have nabbed well-paying jobs that typically require attending meetings once or twice a month.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
PERATA'S POLITICAL PAYBACK
PERATA PUTS ALLIES, RATHER THAN EXPERTS, ON BIG BUCK STATE BOARDS
Although we have a large and sophisticated infrastructure, apparently we don't need trained, qualified experts to oversee it, especially when these jobs can be given away as patronage rewards.
Any time politicians appoint their friends, rather than properly qualified people, to professional boards or commissions, the people are being cheated.
See other articles detailing Perata's corruption:
Perata owned by developers: Corruption Updates 2, first 3 articles.
Perata's
pretense to honesty: Corruption
Updates 4, 5th article.
9) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE BEE, 1-4-07:
Ex-corrections official is hired
Andy Furillo, Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, January 4, 2007
http://www.sacbee.com/391/v-print/story/102685.html
“A top-level corrections administrator who resigned his politically appointed job under fire has taken a new position as chief deputy warden at California State Prison, Sacramento.”
“John Dovey resigned Nov. 29 as director of adult institutions for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.”
“His resignation came after testimony in a State Personnel Board case last year revealed that he had altered disciplinary actions against a number of correctional officers at Salinas Valley State Prison without informing the official who had signed off on the cases.”
“It will pay him $119,232 a year, said correctional spokesman Bill Sessa.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
CYCLE OF CORRUPTION IN CA PRISONS
PRISON OFFICIAL PUNISHED BY KICKING HIM UPSTAIRS, INSTEAD OF OUT
The California Department of Corrections is deceitfully moving the pieces around on their administrative chessboard, but we are not fooled.
Dovey's forced termination for his improperly, and possibly illegally, forging important state documents means nothing when he is rewarded with another lucrative state job.
And to add insult to injury, it is within the same department, corrections, where he proved himself untrustworthy and unreliable.
Apparently these are two
important traits for success in politics and government service.
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