The pile is so deep that 14 Congressional Staffers can't manage to dig to the bottom of Wiggie's ethical lapses
Posted on 12/17/2010 5:04:51 AM PST by Zakeet
A lengthy House investigationof Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has been derailed by infighting within the politically charged ethics committee over errors in building a case against her, according to congressional sources with direct knowledge of the probe.
The probe, opened in 2009, dissolved this fall and most likely will fall to a newly composed committee and possibly a new investigative staff, the sources said.
The case - one of the most prominent ethics investigations undertaken by the committee - came apart as committee and staff members argued over whether documents should be subpoenaed and when the trial should be scheduled and for how long. They all expected Waters to agree to a negotiated settlement, which she ultimately declined.
At one point, the committee's ranking Republican, Rep. Jo Bonner (Ala.), accused the chairman, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), of violating House rules. Other complaints and counter-complaints have been flung for months between Lofgren and the professional staff leading the investigation.
[Snip]
The breakdown of the Waters inquiry highlights the difficulties that the ethics committee faces in policing House colleagues. The panel sought to restore public confidence in its work during the current Congress, scrutinizing nearly two dozen members for possible transgressions and preparing for several trials. But its staff of 14 was quickly overwhelmed.
The Waters probe focused on whether the California Democrat, who chairs a House banking subcommittee, had improperly arranged federal help for OneUnited, a minority-owned bank in which her husband had a significant investment. But the investigation followed a twisting path, according to congressional sources, and sometimes missed what many agree in hindsight were important steps.
Last month, Lofgren tried to fire two investigators, and she told others they had misled her about the probe. But the firings were blocked by Bonner, and the employees remain on paid leave.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The pile is so deep that 14 Congressional Staffers can't manage to dig to the bottom of Wiggie's ethical lapses
Just like one more ear mark probably lost in the rush to complete business. My guess, this never sees the light of day again.
The dem black caucus reminds me of the Mystic Nights of the Sea Lodge Hall with one more sham piled upon another. In a real non raced atmosphere, a good number would be removed from the bits and pieces that make their way to the press. Today, Jacksonville’s own Corrine Brown was cited as having an earmark for 750K to go to a foundation represented by her daughter. This is not the first time such an event has happened to this esteamed congress critter. Of course, nothing ever comes of any such probes and she is returned to the house overwhelmingly by her gerrymandered district. I guess this is true representative democracy in action.
It’s not that. The Dems want the new Republican controlled House to hold the dirty end of this particular stick.
That way, they can tar them with the RACIST label when she is tried and found guilty!!
You nailed it.
Democrats want the Republicans to prosecute the numerous members of the Congressional Black Caucus under investigation for ethics violations.
Strictly to use it as a political club.
I’m not so sure... They could have done the same with Rangel but I’m thinking Rangel had more ‘pull’ to get his over with before the House went to the Republicans. IOW, perahps some Dems wanted more enforcement on _her_ than Charlie.
I objects your honor!-Algonquin J. Calhoun ESQ
"I plead the fif! I plead the fif! FIVE! 1,2,3,4, fiiiif! Anything you say! FIIIF!"
What ethics are there to probe?
Fo’shizzle!
While the liberal elite have driven their racist creed into the public mindset for so many years, the blacks have capitalized on this to pull every illegal and/or unethical stunt their self-entitlement minds can grasp. It’s a plague on our nation.
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