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CORRUPTION UPDATES 29 January 9th to January 12th, 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 UPDATES 29
Previous Corruption Updates: Page 28
Next Corruption Updates: Page 30
1) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE BEE, 1-9-07:
Assembly speaker generous with raises
By Jim Sanders - Bee Capitol Bureau
http://www.sacbee.com/391/story/104852.html
Last Updated 12:22 am PST Tuesday, January 9,
2007
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1
“Top employees of Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez recently received raises as high as 22 percent to boost their salaries, most already exceeding $100,000, at a time when state government continues to spend billions more than it receives in revenue.”
“Dan Eaton, Núñez's chief of staff, received an 18 percent increase that will pump an additional $30,000 into his wallet this year and make him the Legislature's first employee to earn more than $200,000 annually, state records show.”
“Eaton's pay of $200,004 exceeds that of the lieutenant governor and every one of the state's constitutional officers except the governor, who is scheduled to make $206,500, although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declined to accept his state pay.”
“Eaton's $200,004 salary is more than six times higher than California's median income of $33,223 in 2004, the most recent year for which figures are available. Eaton, an attorney and trusted political adviser, declined to comment Monday.”
“Steve Maviglio, Núñez's spokesman, said it is important to pay competitive salaries to retain top employees, particularly in an era of term limits, when lawmakers can serve no more than six years in the Assembly or eight in the Senate.”
“"It's commonplace in corporate America to pay your senior staff better to retain them when you're competing against other companies," Maviglio said. "It's exactly the same thing in the public sector.” ”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
ASSEMBLY STEALS LIKE CORPORATIONS
CITIZENS TOLD GOVERNMENT MUST PAY SALARIES IN LINE WITH “SENIOR STAFF OF CORPORATE AMERICA”
If our leaders, and their staffs, were doing a good job running our state, these salaries could be defended. Our state is being run into the ground under their leadership, and the salaries and perks these creatures of corruption collect is emblematic of a system that rewards corruption.
Thankfully, term limits will turn these bums out. Before term limits, we would have been stuck with these people until they died. In office. That was about the only way to get a sitting Assembly or Senate member out of office.
Mr. Nunez's spokesman sheds light on the situation, explaining how the state is run; “It's commonplace in corporate America to pay your senior staff better...”
We have watched while the “senior staff of corporate America” is ripping off shareholders with their 50 million dollar salaries.
We have watched while the “senior staff of corporate America” has bribed our politicians to roll back their fair share of taxes.
We have watched while the “senior staff of corporate America” has bribed our politicians to end safety regulations that protected us.
Now, we see that our politicians are not just bribed by the “senior staff of corporate America,” but steal the same way, by collecting outrageous salaries for poor performance.
It is time for California to change our political system from one that depends on “the senior staff of corporate America,” to one that depends on democracy.
When we stop the corporations, and the other special interests, from bribing our politicians, and stealing our democracy, we can stop them from stealing our money.
Also See:
Corruption Update 44, 6th article on the page, "Arnie's Staff Steals Like Corporate America"
2) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE AP, 1-10-07:
Leahy questions Secret Service policy
By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 5:04 pm PST Wednesday, January 10, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3469142p-12691367c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Patrick Leahy asked the Secret Service on Wednesday why the agency signed an agreement with the Bush administration to keep White House visitors logs secret.”
“In a letter to Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan, Leahy said he was disappointed to hear about the agreement and sought an explanation "for this change in policy." ”
“Signed last May 17 in the midst of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, the memorandum of understanding says the logs are "at all times presidential records; are not federal records; and are not the records of an agency subject to the Freedom of Information Act." ”
“In October 2004, at the request of the National Archives and Records Administration, the Secret Service halted what it said had been a practice of routinely deleting visitor log data from its computer system after periodically turning the information over to the Bush White House.”
“Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is suing over the National Archives' refusal to disclose why it asked the Secret Service to start retaining its own copies of the White House visitor records. If the National Archives views the logs as federal records as opposed to presidential records, that could bolster the efforts of CREW and other private organizations suing to obtain White House visitor logs.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
WHITE HOUSE CLAIMS SECRET POLICY POWER
LOBBYISTS, BRIBERS TO GET SECRET ACCESS TO WHITE HOUSE
We have had enough of secret government. This fight goes back to Cheney's energy policy group, where the biggest oil companies, and Cheney, secretly crafted America's energy “policy.” (“buy bigger SUVs, consume more oil”) And before that, to Nixon, who hid his criminality behind a cloak of “Executive Privilidge.”
The excuse given was that they needed candid advice. The real reason for secrecy is that Bush sold his policymaking powers to the special interests.
Why else would these people be ashamed to publicly advise the President? Why else would the president want to hide while crafting important public policy? Because this transaction between buyer and seller is dishonorable.
It is important to our political leaders that the American people not know that the special interests, Big Oil, and traitors like Abramoff run their country.
Keeping the White House visitor logs secret hides the fact that lobbyists and CEOs are paying big bribes to write our nation's most important policies. And they visit the White House to collect the payoff.
Keeping the political payoff secret is vital to maintaining the appearance of propriety and democracy.
Corruption Updates 1, 5th article on page, “Abramoff-Dolittle: A love story”
Corruption Updates 11, 5th article on page, “Norquest and Reed,...Thieves...Consulting at White House While...Working for Abramoff”
Corruption Update 13, 2nd article on page, “Report Details Abramoff Ties to White House”
Corruption
Update 13, 8th article on page, “Convicted
lobbyist had several direct contacts with Rove
Report details
White House links to Jack Abramoff”
Corruption Updates 17, 10th article on page, “Abramofff-Rove Link Quits White House”
Corruption Updates 18, 2nd article on page, “Non-Profits Cover for Criminal Lobbyist Abramoff”
Corruption Updates 18, 4th article on page, “Dolittle Sought, and Got, Abramoff Job for Wife”
Corruption Updates 29, 3rd article on page, “Interior Dept. #2, Energy Lobbyist, Target in Abramoff Probe”
Corruption Updates 30, 3rd article on page, “Doolittle to Hire Outside Fundraiser”
Corruption Updates 42 , 5th article on page, “U.S. suggests cutting Abramoff sentence"
Corruption Updates 43 , 1st article on page, “Ex-Deputy Pleads Guilty in Abramoff Case"
3) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE AP, 1-10-07:
Energy lobbyist a target in ethics probe
By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 2:13 pm PST Wednesday, January 10, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3468954p-12690903c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - The Interior Department's former No. 2 official has been told by federal investigators that he is a target in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe.”
“J. Steven Griles, former deputy interior secretary during President Bush's first term, was notified by letter and told of possible charges at a meeting last week with Justice Department prosecutors, people familiar with the probe said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the inquiry continues.”
“Griles has since resumed his work as an energy lobbyist, which he did before joining Interior. It's those ties that were the subject of a host of internal probes while he was at the department.”
“Also being investigated in relation to the grand jury probe is Sue Ellen Wooldridge, the assistant attorney general who oversees the Justice Department's environment and natural resources division, one person familiar with the investigation said .”
“The Abramoff grand jury has heard from several Interior officials, past and present, in recent days. Roger Stillwell, a former Interior employee who provided Abramoff with information from the department, was sentenced to two years probation and fined $1,000 on Tuesday for failing to report gifts football and concert tickets from Abramoff.”
“Prosecutors are investigating Griles now for possible criminal charges that include lying to Congress and honest service fraud. The latter is a 1988 law saying citizens are guaranteed a right to the "honest services" of public officials.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
ENERGY LOBBYIST WHO WAS INTERIOR DEPT #2 TARGET IN ETHICS PROBE
ANOTHER LOBBYIST APPOINTED TO GOVERNMENT SUSPECTED OF BETRAYING PUBLIC TRUST WITH ABRAMOFF
The Interior Department has been made a plum payoff job for a host of well connected lobbyists. Bribe the politician, get a job where you can rob the public blind.
The Abramoff connection is but one of the many special interests, such as Big Oil, Mining, and Indian gaming, that have purchased political influence, politicians, and big wigs at the Interior Department.
The only way to stop this is to stop the bribery that buys political influence. We allow special interests to plow millions of dollars into buying our politicians and elections.
The payoff comes when the politicians appoint industry lobbyists to posts protecting America's national resources, public safety, and foreign policy.
The lobbyists betray their patriotic duty, our country, and our national interests, by stealing or giving away our national assets to their industry.
The only way to stop this cycle of bribery and thievery is to stop all political contributions from outside special interests to our candidates and officeholders.
Returning our democracy to the voters will allow us to regulate industry, rather than enduring industry stealing our democracy, then our money.
Corruption Updates 11, 5th article on page; Norquest and Reed, and a Rogues Gallery of Thieves, Consulting at White House while All Parties Worked for Abramoff”
Corruption Update 12, 1st article on page; Political Corruption Infiltrates Interior Dept
Corruption Update 15, 6th article on page; Interior Department Web Porn and Shopping Spree.
Corruption Update 24, 4th article on page; Big Oil Owns Interior Department.
Corruption Updates 26, 8th article on page: President Appoints Tainted Lobbyist/Interior Official to Fed Bench
For further Articles on the Interior Department
4) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE AP, 1-10-07:
Senate cracks down on financial fraud
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 3:24 pm PST Wednesday, January 10, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3469067p-12691194c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate decided Wednesday that lawmakers and other senior public servants should face stronger penalties, including jail time, for knowingly falsifying financial disclosure forms.”
“Last year former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, who pleaded guilty in the Jack Abramoff influence-peddling investigation and faces prison time, acknowledged making false statements on his financial disclosure forms by concealing that Abramoff and a foreign businessman who were the true source of gifts.”
“Senators voted 93-2 to increase from the current $10,000 to $50,000 the maximum civil penalty that can be imposed for willful misrepresentations on the forms that broadly detail a public official's sources of income, assets and debts.”
“The Senate is expected to vote on the ethics and lobbying bill next week, and the House may take up similar legislation next month.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
SENATE IMPROVES BRIBERY REPORTING
SENATE INCREASED PENALTIES FOR NOT REPORTING BRIBES, DOES NOTHING TO STOP SPECIAL INTEREST BRIBES
This is an excellent change. But none of these changes stop the bribery, they merely require that it be reported.
The real problem is that political bribery is legal. This fact is not addressed by any of the proposed political reforms.
Ney and Abramoff are crude fellows. Politicians and lobbyists who get busted for bribery have to be stupid, or exceptionally greedy.
Under current law it is almost impossible to prove bribery, as the law blesses bribery as long as no explicit deal between the briber and politician can be detected.
The first article on the first Corruption Updates page describes how this system of legal bribery works. Lobbyists “contribute,” and the recipients deliver the political favor.
Sometimes it's a tax or regulatory break, sometimes it's an earmark, or a vote for or against a bill. No explicit deal is made. Both sides of the deal know exactly what the other side wants.
Corruption Update 18, 3rd article on page, “Ney Guilty of Betraying democracy”
5) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AP, 1-10-07:
Supreme Court hears union fees lawsuit
By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 2:13 pm PST Wednesday, January 10, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3469020p-12691061c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - Supreme Court justices indicated Wednesday they are inclined to uphold a Washington state law restricting unions from using workers' fees for political activities.”
“The case involves a few thousand teachers and other education employees who are in the bargaining unit and thus represented by the more than 70,000-member Washington Education Association - but who have chosen not to join the union.”
“Workers can't be forced to join or pay for the union's political activism, the court has ruled, but they can be charged a fee for labor negotiations that affect them.”
“The fees average $700 a year, union president Charles Hasse said. About 75 percent of the total goes to the costs of collective bargaining. Of the remaining 25 percent, just $10 to $25 a year is covered by the state law that the union has challenged.”
“The narrow issue before the justices is whether, as Washington law prescribed, employees must opt in, or affirmatively consent, to having some of their money used in election campaigns.”
“Union opponents are hoping the court uses this case to bar unions everywhere from spending non-members' fees on politics without their consent. The National Right to Work Legal Foundation estimates that such a ruling could entitle more than a million people nationwide to refunds that could top $200 in some cases.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
HIGH COURT TO HEAR ANTI-UNION CASE
FIGHT BETWEEN SPECIAL INTERESTS, TO CUT EACH OTHER OFF, CONTINUES. LET'S CUT OFF ALL THE SPECIAL INTERESTS
This case illustrates how reforming campaign finance is used by factions to attack each other.
This is part of a long battle between corrupt unions, and equally corrupt anti-union groups, to criminalize each other's bribes, while preserving their own power to bribe politicians.
Our initiative finds the middle ground between these factions. Our initiative would outlaw bribes by all special interest groups. The unions and the corporations would both be prohibited from contributing.
Our initiative leaves elections to the voters, not the special interests. Union and corporate special interests would be removed from direct participation in elections.
This would restrict special interests to their free speech rights, forcing them to appeal to the voters, rather than bribing the candidates and officeholders.
6) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE AP, 1-10-07:
Congressman recuses himself
By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 3:24 pm PST Wednesday, January 10, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3469171p-12691466c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Alan Mollohan, under Justice Department investigation about whether he has benefited from directing federal funds to nonprofit groups he helped start, recused himself Wednesday from working on the department's budget.”
“The move came on the day Mollohan, D-W.Va., was named chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee responsible for the department's budget.”
“At issue is at least $202 million of federal funding that Mollohan has steered to five nonprofit groups in his district - with much of the money going to organizations run by people who contribute to the lawmaker's campaigns.”
“Last year, Mollohan stepped down from the House ethics committee after media reports into his activities, and the FBI soon launched an investigation. A conservative group, the National Legal and Policy Center, has alleged that the 12-term congressman has undervalued his assets in annual financial disclosure reports.”
“Mollohan and a political action committee he controls have received more than $146,000 in the past 10 years from donors affiliated with these nonprofits.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
W.VA CONGRESSMAN RECUSES FROM JUSTICE BUDGET
DOJ INVESTIGATING HIM FOR ENRICHING SELF, AND FRIENDS, WITH OFFICE
This article describes how our parties and politicians maintain their monopoly on office.
First, you collect more money than your opponents. The most money almost always guarantees political victory. It also guarantees a deep financial obligation to your “contributors.”
After getting elected, you direct money to your contributors through earmarks or other forms of federal funding.
At the next election your contributors fully fund your candidacy, and after getting elected you pay off the debt.
And so a political monopoly is established.
7) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE LA TIMES, 12-3-06:
Former Sen. Burns hired at lobbying firm
By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 2:13 pm PST Wednesday, January 10, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3468987p-12690987c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Sen. Conrad Burns, whose ties to lobbyists helped sink his re-election bid, has landed at a new workplace: a Washington lobbying firm.”
“Burns will work for his former chief of staff, Leo Giacometto, at the firm Gage, which has lobbied for Montana interests and several national technology companies, often making headlines for its connections to Burns and his staff.”
“In the Montana Senate race, Democratic challenger Jon Tester pounded Burns on his ties to Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist at the heart of an influence-peddling scandal. Burns had accepted about $150,000 in campaign contributions from Abramoff, his clients and associates. He later gave that money away, and denied any wrongdoing.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
EX-SEN BURNS TRADES BRIBES FOR PAYCHECK
THE REVOLVING DOOR BETWEEN WORKING FOR SPECIAL INTERESTS, IN, AND AFTER, POLITICAL OFFICE
The only difference between a lobbyist and a politician is which side of the desk they sit on.
Corruption Update 11, 5th article on page, “Norquest and Reed, and a Rogues Gallery of Thieves, Consulting at White House while All Parties Worked for Abramoff.”
Corruption Update 11, 8th article on page, “...Revolving Door and and Massive Payoffs Feather their Nests.”
Corruption Update 23, 4th article on page, “politicians trade bribes for paychecks”
8) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE BEE, 1-12-07:
Police, CHP fare poorly on test of law requiring release of documents.
By Andrew McIntosh, Phillip Reese, Chelsea Phua and Todd Milbourn - Bee Staff Writers
Last Updated 8:59 am PST Friday, January 12, 2007
Story
appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/106879.html
“Police agencies in the capital region and statewide routinely delay, dismiss or ignore ordinary citizens' requests for reports on basic public crime, arrest and other topics, according to a landmark audit of California law enforcement agency practices.”
“The audit, overseen by the nonprofit group Californians Aware, was performed by reporters at 28 newspapers and three television stations across the state,...” ”
“Reporters visited 216 police, sheriff's and California Highway Patrol offices in 34 counties on Dec. 4, 2006, with a common goal: request law enforcement information to test compliance with the California Public Records Act. The audit measured what was provided and how fast.”
“The average grade earned was an F plus, CalAware reported, even though numerous agencies learned of the audit on Dec. 4 or shortly afterward.”
“A second phase of the audit called for the reporters to leave at the offices a written public record request for other information. However, more than one in 10 of the agencies would not even accept the written request.”
“Overall, 56 percent of oral requests for local law enforcement records were ignored, dismissed or took longer than the legally allowed 10 days. The response to the written records requests was worse -- 66 percent of requests made generated a reply only after 10 days or not at all.”
“Not one of the local police and sheriff's departments immediately provided all of the information asked for in person.”
“The California Highway Patrol was particularly nonresponsive. Only three of the nine Northern California CHP area offices visited by Sacramento Bee auditors -- Auburn, Yuba City and Red Bluff -- provided crime and arrest information immediately. The rest refused -- a statewide pattern that earned the CHP an F.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
COPS RESIST FREE INFORMATION
COPS PROTECT THEMSELVES BEFORE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. JUST LIKE POLITICIANS
The more you need a cop, the less you will see one. When you don't want to see a cop, they are everywhere.
This fact of life is reflected in behavior of cops described above. Except that the withholding of information is intentional.
The problem is that the government, in all of its branches and departments, has forgotten that its job is to serve the needs and interests of the citizen, not its own interests.
The police cannot be retrained until they are stopped from bribing politicians. As long as the police can bribe politicians, they will be able to deflect political oversight. And ignore record requests with impunity.
The political cover purchased by the police allows abuses far worse than withholding records.
9) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE AP, 1-12-07:
FEMA deputy during Katrina now at NASA
The Associated Press
Last Updated 2:43 pm PST Friday, January 12, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3471236p-12697826c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - The second-in-command for the Federal Emergency Management Agency during its much-criticized response to Hurricane Katrina started a senior job at NASA this week.”
“Patrick Rhode, who was chief of staff and deputy director of FEMA under Michael Brown, was hired as a senior adviser to NASA Administrator Michael Griffin on communications issues, NASA spokesman David Mould said.”
“The hiring of Rhode, a former television reporter who was an advance man for the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign, was made by the White House and Griffin together, Mould said.”
“Disaster management professionals faulted the way the two men ran FEMA during Katrina and wondered how that qualified Rhode for NASA.”
“Rhode's
name emerged in an embarrassing e-mail exchange between him and
Brown just hours after Katrina struck New Orleans. When asked if he
was available for a phone call, Brown said he was "sitting in
the chair, putting mousse in my hair," and Rhode chimed in, "Me
too!" The communication occurred early on the morning of on
Aug. 29, 2005.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
FEMA DEPUTY REWARDED FOR INCOMPENTENCE DURING KATRINA
ANOTHER POLITICAL OPERATIVE PROTECTED FOR INCOMPENTENCE
Incompetence rewarded, again. Apparently the historical failure of FEMA while Mr. Rhode's was second in charge is offset by his success as an advance man for the Bush-Cheney campaign.
Or the Director of NASA needs lessons on how to properly apply mousse.
The real problem here is that political supporters, lobbyists, and other creatures of bribery, are passing over properly qualified professionals to fill important government jobs.
10) THE ABSTRACT PRINTED BELOW WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE AP, 1-12-07:
Convicted lawmakers may lose pensions
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 1:19 pm PST Friday, January 12, 2007
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3470930p-12696879c.html
“WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, behind bars for bribery, can at least be consoled by the federal pension he'll continue to collect. Current or future lawmakers convicted of crimes may not be so lucky.”
“The Senate on Friday voted 87-0 to strip away the pensions of members of Congress convicted of white-collar crimes such as bribery, perjury and fraud. That could result in benefit losses of more than $100,000 a year.”
“...by law Congress cannot take away pensions retroactively and the so-called "Duke Cunningham Act" won't affect the benefits of Cunningham or Ney. It would also not touch the military benefits of a veteran such as Cunningham.”
“Under current law, pensions can be forfeited only if a lawmaker commits crimes such as treason or espionage.”
“The National Taxpayers Union, which tracks congressional pensions, said Ney, who faces about two years in prison, would be eligible for about $29,000 a year if he waits until 2016, when he turns 62. Cunningham could garner benefits of about $64,000 with his military service, a sum that includes $36,000 from his eight terms in Congress.”
“The NTU says there are roughly 20 former members convicted of serious crimes who qualify for pensions.”
“They include Rep. John Murphy, D-N.Y., convicted in the ABSCAM scandal in 1980, eligible for about $79,000; Rep. Carroll Hubbard, an 18-year Democrat from Kentucky imprisoned for two years on conspiracy and official misconduct charges who could be collecting more than $62,000; and Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., who served 15 months in prison after pleading guilty in 1996 to two mail fraud charges but is potentially receiving benefits of $126,000 a year.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
CONVICTED POLITICIANS MAY LOSE PENSIONS
PAYMENTS FOR LAWBREAKERS DIMINISHED, NOT ENDED
Crime pays for
illegal immigrants, politicians, and special interests. Now it will
pay less for politicians. But it still pays them very well.
Also See:
Corruption
Updates 23, 6th article on page, “Citizens try
to Cut Pensions of Criminal Lawmakers”
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