Posted on 09/29/2009 8:08:38 AM PDT by iowamark
House Republicans are focusing more attention on North Carolina Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler’s district in the wake of scrutiny over a hometown real estate deal.
In 2005, Shuler became a partner in a real estate development group that was hoping to develop a property with water rights.
When it turned out the Tennessee Valley Authority controlled the water rights, Shuler’s partnership looked to strike a deal with the government. The only problem? Shuler sits on a congressional committee that oversees the TVA, raising a conflict of interest.
Shuler has said he had no contact with the TVA until after a deal was struck. But the authority’s inspector general questioned Shuler’s statement in a report the TVA released last week. The issue could force Shuler on the defensive at a time when he’s already under fire back home over his support of the administration’s energy legislation and stimulus — and when a tough health care vote is coming up.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2544273/
“Report says TVA worker lied about Shuler land deal”
An internal investigation report released last week by the Tennessee Valley Authority Inspector General claimed a TVA employee lied during a probe into a land swap that involved U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a Waynesville Democrat.
The “Report of Administrative Inquiry” was dated June 9 and released last Monday. According to the redacted report, an unnamed employee “denied Congressman Shuler had contacted TVA” about the land deal and that “an internal e-mail shows (the employee) knew or should have known otherwise.”
The investigation centered around the TVA’s “Maintain and Gain” program. The program, which the TVA ended in August, allowed landowners without water access rights around TVA lakes and reservoirs to gain water access rights by relinquishing an equal or greater amount of water access rights elsewhere.
The Cove at Blackberry Ridge, LLC, had applied for 145 feet of water access rights along Watts Bar Reservoir in east Tennessee under the program. In its application, it agreed to give up 150 feet of access rights elsewhere and provide $15,000 for a shoreline bank stabilization effort on Watts Bar Reservoir.
Shuler, a former east Tennessee real estate professional, was an investor in Blackberry Ridge at the time of the application. Shuler was also a member of the House Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. The committee exercises some oversight of the TVA and its programs.
“One aspect of the investigation involved the issue of whether or not Congressman Heath Shuler, Eleventh District, North Carolina, received special treatment in the approval of an M&G application submitted by The Cove at Blackberry Ridge, LLC,” the report states. “Congressman Shuler was a partner in Blackberry at the time the application was approved, thus raising questions as to whether he had received special treatment from TVA.”
Shuler denies that he exerted any influence as a Congressman and committee member over the application.
According to the report, Shuler was a founding partner of Blackberry in 2005, before he was elected congressman in 2006. Blackberry wanted to develop a residential subdivision on Watts Bar Reservoir and a community boat dock. Blackberry’s deed to the property didn’t include water access rights.
Blackberry made two unsuccessful applications under the Maintain and Gain program. Its third application was accepted in May 2008. After the approval of the application, Shuler revealed in financial disclosure documents that his investment in Blackberry was between $5 and $25 million. At the time of the the investment disclosure, the TVA denied contact with Shuler about the application, based on the report’s unnamed employee’s statements.
“Despite evidence to suggesting otherwise,” the report states, the unnamed employee “denied to the media that that Congressman Shuler contacted TVA about the Blackberry M&G application. (The unnamed employee) also denied to the OIG that (he or she) was aware Congressman Shuler was an owner of Blackberry. Evidence indicates (the unnamed employee) knew or should have known Congressman Shuler held an ownership interest in Blackberry and that the Congressman had contacted TVA about Blackberry’s M&G application.”
According to a published review of the Maintain and Gain program by the TVA’s inspector general dated May 15, 2009, the TVA has referred some aspects of the Blackberry deal to the House Ethics Committee. The TVA has declined to say what those matters were. “”
I despise so-called “Blue Dog Democrats”. They are fakes and phonies.
yellow dogs and schuler is the biggest fraud of all
Nearly all politicians are.
Shuler was an overrated QB for the Redskins, so he was lousy the last time he came to Washington.
Anything to this, John?
Heath Shuler voted for CAP AND TRADE against the wishes of his district. He has voted too many times with Pelosi and he needs to go.
The guy is a sleeze.
Shuler sucked for my beloved Saints as well...
However I personally know he actually lives and all his business interest are in Knoxville, Tennessee where he was a star QB.
This scandal could hurt him badly "if" the GOP can run a decent candidate they would win however none has come forward yet.
illegal motion, number 5.....two-year penalty, fourth down...
from:
http://shuler.house.gov/zipauth.shtml
(Excerpt):
“ I am very interested in hearing your views on issues of importance to you. Due to the large volume of US Mail, email and faxes I receive, I am only able to accept messages from residents of the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. Congressional courtesy dictates that Representatives be given the opportunity to assist their own constituents. If you are a resident of another district, I encourage you to contact your Representative in Congress by clicking the following link to the Write Your Representative Service.
Please provide the following information to help determine whether you reside within the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina:”
However this does not hold true if you are shaking money in this direction..
But Lookie where the money comes from:
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=2010&cid=N00027655&type=I
Seems like Knoxville Money is a Major Player here..
http://www.hoovers.com/phillips-and-jordan/—ID__117668—/free-co-factsheet.xhtml
Excerpt:
“While some like to clear the air, Phillips and Jordan (P&J) prefers to clear the land. Founded in 1952 as a small land clearing firm”
How can we Send this to Glenn Beck ?
More Info for research is out there, but here in the 11th district where dial-up rules the mountains... oh .. look there .... AT&T has contributions... is that why the 3G network is NOT available to us minions...??
this waddles and quacks...
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