Lawmakers targeted in ethics probe

politico.com ^ | Oct. 30, 2009 | JOHN BRESNAHAN

[Free ThinkerNY]

A leaked document shows that House ethics investigators are probing the activities of nearly three dozen lawmakers — an ethical dust storm that will empower the Republicans and could imperil efforts to get health care reform through the House next week.

The House ethics committee said Thursday that it was opening two new investigations — one into the foreclosure scandal of Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.) and one involving financial questions about Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and her husband.

But shortly after the committee met, chairs Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) interrupted proceedings on the House floor to say that an internal document on secret committee proceedings had been leaked to The Washington Post — and that it would name the names of many other members who had drawn the attention of either the committee or the Office of Congressional Ethics.

According to the Post, the document identifies more than 30 House members.

Much of the investigative interest swirls around lawmakers' relationship with the PMA Group, a now-defunct lobbying firm that pumped campaign contributions to members and obtained earmarks for its defense clients.

Reps. Jack Murtha (D-Pa.) and Peter Visclosky (D-Ind.) had been implicated in the PMA case previously, but the leaked document showed that investigators are also interested in Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.), Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Bill Young (R-Fla.) and Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), according to the Post.

[subterfuge]

But shortly after the committee met, chairs Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) interrupted proceedings on the House floor to say that an internal document on secret committee proceedings had been leaked to The Washington Post — and that it would name the names of many other members

STOP SNITCHIN! /sarc.

Actually, lets have the names. ALL the names you beltway hacks!

[NormsRevenge]

May the sails of the GoP fill with conservative winds and a little whupp-arse be put upon the corrupt Dems..

The whole party is corrupt...from top to bottom.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

So far, in predictable fashion - the Post is reporting on the leak but has not released the list of names. Please cite any other instance of leaked information (national security related, or not) that the Post doesn’t immediately publish. Which suggests it’s almost all or entirely Democrats.

[servantboy777]

Corruption runs so deep in Washington these days.

It is no wonder our nation is in such a mess, we have a bunch of criminals in government offices.

It’s time the American people revolt over this nonsense.

Enough already.

[Buckeye McFrog]

and it took pirated music download file-sharing software to finger them....oh, the irony!

[Deb]

Favorite story of the day.