Corrupt Bastards Club: FBI Investigating Stevens' Fishing Bills = Earmarks

FBI Investigating Stevens' Fishing Bills
By MATT APUZZO – Oct 30, 2007
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKRLMJ5kALpjyP4o6IvHjkrA3vowD8SJPKE00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities investigating Sen. Ted Stevens are trolling the Alaska fishing industry for evidence of whether the powerful Republican pushed seafood legislation that benefited his lobbyist son. .....

After serving subpoenas throughout the industry last year, investigators recently returned to Seattle, home to many of the boats and processors that bring Alaska's seafood to market.

Industry officials and attorneys involved in the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity because authorities have told them not to discuss the probe, said investigators are asking about federal legislation that directly or indirectly aided the senator's son, Ben, who is a state lobbyist and politician.

The legislation was passed as earmarks ...... the pieces of Stevens-sponsored legislation being eyed: ......

=======================
Previous thread: Who's Who in the "Corrupt Bastards Club" ?? Nothing Fishy Here. MOVE ON
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2101151#2132316

just printed tee-shirts too now... :rofl:

We need to start printing tee-shirts that say, "Non-member, Corrupt Bastards Club. I'm a Dem!"

"They Got The Minnow"
By Paul Kiel - Nov 2, 2007
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004630.php

Prosecutors scored their third conviction of a third former Alaska state lawmaker yesterday, nailing Vic Kohring on three of four counts. He was convicted of taking a couple thousand dollars in bribes from Veco executives and asking for $17,000 more (to pay off credit card debt due to health care bills).

Jurors were united in finding Kohring guilty -- and in not feeling good about it:

...... "juror No. 8," said "they didn't get the sharks. They got the minnow."
......

The "sharks" in that metaphor, of course, would have to be the biggest fish in Alaska: Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and his son, Ben.

Are Rs illegally conspiring to circumvent campaign finance laws?
The answer is obvious, is one follows the money.
Who gives the money in the first instance?

========================
Political donations = Senator Hatch shares the wealth with GOPs
The Utah Republican gives to legal fund of embattled congressman
By Matt Canham - Salt Lake Tribune - 11/01/2007
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7337298


WASHINGTON - Sen. Orrin Hatch is the single biggest donor to the legal defense fund of a congressman who is under federal investigation for his ties to jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff .... $10,000 to California GOP Rep. John Doolittle in early September ....

Hatch and Doolittle are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .... John Doolittle is his friend," said Dave Hansen, Hatch's campaign manager. ...

Hatch has spread his campaign wealth to Smith and every other incumbent Republican senator ... That includes Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, .... No member of Congress has given Stevens more than Hatch, who has donated a total of $14,000. ...

In all, Hatch has donated more than $170,000 to other politicians this year and $100,000 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, also funnels money to his colleagues through his Snow PAC ....

A Culture Club of Corrupt Bastards
http://alaskareport.com/news1007/th41119_cbc.htm

Alaska's Governor Palin spoke recently about the political earthquake shaking Alaska's top politicians:

By Terry Haines - "It's a generational shift that's going on, but it's also a values shift that's going on. The "culture of corruption" that has become ingrained in Alaska politics is a poor example to the rest of the nation as the state tries to be taken seriously in negotiations over a natural gas pipeline."
Alaska's Governor Palin spoke recently about the political earthquake shaking Alaska's top politicians

"We have to prove that we are responsible, that we are trustworthy, that we are truthful up here," she said. "Our actions have to speak louder than our words."

What is she talking about?

Well, Rick Smith, an oil service company executive recently convicted on corruption charges, admitted in an Anchorage court recently that he had bribed State Senator Ben Stevens (son of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens) $243,250 to lobby colleagues and for "official acts before the legislature".

"That's all illegal, isn't it?" asked the attorney questioning him.

"I think that's the gist of it." Smith deadpanned.

..............

Don Young: A Porker for All
By Paul Kiel - Nov 12, 2007
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/


Is there anyone to match Rep. Don Young's (R-AK) earmarking abilities? Sure, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) knows his way around an appropriations bill. But contractors know that the way to Murtha's heart is to open an office in his district. Convincing Young to dole out federal dollars, however, seems even easier.

Witness the $280 billion 2005 transportation bill, Young's masterpiece, the culmination of 30 plus years of experience. In it, Young not only tagged hundreds of millions for his home state -- including his own bridge to nowhere -- but he delivered for projects all over the country. Back in August, we gave a rundown of four states (http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003985.php) where contributors had ponied up for Young's attention, and this weekend, McClatchy took a step back to admire the full scope of Young's popularity outside of Alaska:

With money pouring in from transportation interests, Young amassed $6.5 million in political contributions from 2001 to 2005. .....

Welcome to the Corrupt Bastards Club Awards Banquet. And the winner of the Hubris Halibut is ....

Old-fashioned, fresh squid pro quo seems to be on the menu,
given how this earmark is just for three contributors.
Are we seeing the height of hubris at work here?
Young knows he is under investigation, and just the same:

================
Young's earmark helps three fishing companies
CAMPAIGN DONORS: Provision was tucked in bill without review.
By WESLEY LOY - Nov 25, 2007
http://www.adn.com/front/story/9478408p-9389565c.html


Some of the toughest money in America is made fishing for king and snow crab in the tempestuous Bering Sea. But some crab boat owners also do well on the opposite coast in Washington, D.C. A case in point is an arcane section written into a bill Congress passed in December, just hours before adjourning for the year. President Bush signed the bill into law about a month later.

Section 122 of the act, an updated version of the nation's main ocean fisheries law, gives three fishing companies -- and only three -- the right to exchange certain rights to catch and process Bering Sea crab for a new and potentially more profitable kind of right. The change could lower the costs of running crab boats and hauling catches to an onshore processing plant.

The three companies -- Yardarm Knot, Blue Dutch and Trident Seafoods -- are all headed by people who have made substantial political contributions to U.S. Rep. Don Young, the Alaska Republican who inserted Section 122 into the legislation.

...............

House horse race - http://newsminer.com/2007/12/02/10188
Congress to finish year with heavy schedule
R.A. Dillon - the News-Miner - Dec 2, 2007


A new Craciun Research poll shows Republican incumbent Don Young trailing all challengers in the race for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The poll was paid for by Democratic candidate Diane Benson, who leads Young by 8 percentage points in a head-to-head contest, according to the survey.

The Democratic primary is currently a three-way race between Benson, former state House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz and former state Democratic Party chairman Jake Metcalfe. The Craciun poll shows Berkowitz leading the primary with 29 percent over Benson with 21 percent and Metcalfe with 8 percent.

Nearly 34 percent of respondents remain undecided in the Democratic primary, though 6 percent volunteered the name of Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Begich has been focused on Republican Ted Stevens’ seat in the U.S. Senate, but he has yet to officially declare whether he’ll run for either office.

The poll projects that in the general election, Berkowitz captured 50 percent of the vote compared to Young with 35 percent. Benson did similarly well with 45 percent of the vote against Young with 37 percent.

'I'll Sell My Soul to the Devil'
Corruption Scandals Involve Alaska's Biggest Political Names
By Karl Vick - Washington Post Staff Writer - November 12, 2007; Page A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/11/AR2007111101585.html?nav=rss_nation


ANCHORAGE -- When the FBI came looking for corruption in Alaska politics, it found an excellent perch in Suite 604 of the Baranof Hotel in Juneau, the state capital. There, a profane septuagenarian named Bill Allen did business throughout a 2006 special session called to set taxes on the oil industry. With hundred-dollar bills in his front pocket for ease of access when lawmakers turned up with their hands out, the oil-services company executive turned in a bravura performance before the pinhole camera that federal agents installed opposite his favorite chair.

"Let me count first here," Allen said, shushing a former statehouse speaker as he counted out a bribe in video footage entered as evidence in the lawmaker's September trial, one of several crowding the docket of the federal court here.

On another tape, Pete Kott, the former Republican speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, crowed as he described beating back a tax bill opposed by oil companies. "I had to cheat, steal, beg, borrow and lie," Kott said. "Exxon's happy. BP's happy. I'll sell my soul to the devil."

"Well, that will stay in this room," one lobbyist said as a midnight session wound down.

It did not, of course. Since breaking into public view a year ago when federal agents raided lawmakers' offices and homes -- finding $32,200 neatly stacked in a closet of Kott's condo -- the federal probe has produced four indictments, three convictions, three guilty pleas and .........

Alaska corruption rates low by national standards
By LEW M. WILLIAMS JR.
http://www.voiceofthetimes.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=554&Itemid=1

There is no excuse for the petty bribery, extortion and attempted extortion that corrupted a few Alaska lawmakers. We say "petty" because the amounts involved .....

It's not necessary to go back to Wyatt Earp and the battle of O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Ariz., to report on a state that has a history of more crime and corruption among lawmakers than Alaska. In 1991, eight Arizona lawmakers and 11 others were indicted for accepting bribes from gambling interests ....

One of Arizona's senators, John McCain, was criticized after Charles Keating, an Arizona savings and loan banker, was convicted of a $1 billion fraud. Before the charge and conviction, Keating had contributed $1.4 million to the campaigns of five U.S. senators, including McCain. One billion and $1.4 million in done deals vs. $17,000 in an attempted extortion?

So, buck up Alaska. .....

Former legislator set to enter Oregon federal prison Dec. 3
5-YEAR SENTENCE: Anderson was first convicted in FBI investigation.
AP - Nov 13, 2007
http://www.adn.com/front/story/9450428p-9361938c.html


Former Rep. Tom Anderson on Monday told Anchorage television station KTUU that he will report to a federal prison south of Portland, Ore., on Dec. 3.

Anderson, 40, a two-term Republican from Anchorage who chose not to run for re-election in 2006, was convicted in July of taking nearly $24,000 he thought was coming from a private prison firm, Cornell Industries Inc., in exchange for his assistance on legislation.

The money was supplied by the FBI ..........

Golf Tournaments Eyed in Corruption Case
By MATT APUZZO – 5 hours ago
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hdHuzL72HIBCvcsWuXtE9kP6SxFgD8STOAVG0

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating whether an Alaska oil contractor used golf tournaments to funnel cash to Rep. Don Young, people close to the corruption investigation said.

The contractor, Rick Smith, told investigators that Young personally received cash at the events. Once an important ally who helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Young's election committee, Smith has become a key government informant.

As part of his cooperation, Smith allowed FBI agents to record his telephone calls with the Republican congressman in a corruption sting. The former VECO Corp. vice president has pleaded guilty to bribing state lawmakers to support oil-friendly legislation.

Details of Smith's cooperation against Alaska's 18-term congressman were confirmed by people close to the case who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

...........

Don Young to be indicted soon?
Nov 16, 2007 - http://alaskareport.com/news1107/z46943_arrests_soon.htm

By Dennis Zaki - Could the FBI be buttering us up for a pig roast after a federal leak regarding phone calls between convicted ex-VECO VP Rick Smith and his buddy/cohort, Alaska congressman Don Young.
Don Young and VECO friends

The feds often want to get their message out before an arrest of a public figure because they know the defendant's lawyer is going to try to influence public opinion immediately after an arrest.

...........

Don Young is under multiple criminal investigations for bribery, tax evasion, conspiracy, and extortion. ..........

Stevens' "Ferry to Nowhere" to Boost Land Value for Former Aides
By Paul Kiel - Nov 15, 2007
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004722.php


We've noted Sen. Ted Stevens' (R-AK) knack for helping out friends and family before. His son Ben for instance, relied on dear ol' dad (http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004287.php) to channel millions to fishing companies that in turn channeled hundreds of thousands on to him. His former aide Trevor McCabe partnered up with his son Ben and benefited from his relationship with Uncle Ted in other ways that have caught investigators' attention.

Though Alaska's a huge state, the billions Stevens brought home make the state seem quite small. Somehow projects tend to benefit people close to him. Roll Call takes a look (sub. req.) at just one of those, Stevens' recent earmark for $20 million for a ferry project in the state. Stevens has inserted "nearly $50 million for the project into appropriation bills from 2002 to 2006," Roll Call reports. The ferry would connect Knik Arm to Anchorage, cutting down travel time from two hours to 15 minutes. And look who had the foresight to invest:

Several current and former members of Stevens’ staff — including Chief of Staff George Lowe and former top aide Lisa Sutherland — as well as Rep. Don Young’s (R-Alaska) son-in-law Art Nelson own undeveloped land on the Knik Arm....

Oooh! ooohhhh! I'm scared now! :rofl:

=================
Stevens to Media: You Better Watch Your Mouth
By Paul Kiel - Nov 16, 2007
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004731.php

Look out Anchorage Daily News (and maybe others http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/059065.php)! Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) is gonna get ya! He's not saying how, but he's gonna get ya.

Just because two oil executives have pleaded guilty to bribing Stevens (http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004190.php), his son, and a handful of Alaska state lawmakers, and a grand jury is hearing evidence against Stevens and his son, the Daily News keeps on reporting that Stevens is mixed up with the wrong crowd. And probably just to sell more papers, whenever one of those Alaska state lawmakers gets convicted of taking bribes from the executives (Bill Allen and Rick Smith of Veco), the Daily News feels compelled to mention Stevens and his son. Stevens spoke his mind to the Daily News in an interview (http://www.adn.com/front/story/9457523p-9368930c.html):

"Your papers print (the names of) those people who have been convicted and my son's name and mine at the same time. As far as the public is concerned, it's all the same ball of wax," Stevens said. "I'm not going to comment on that ball of wax."

Just for example, take the trial of former state pol Vic Kohring for taking Veco bribes. ........

Stevens said before (http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003929.php), the paper's trying to "assassinate" him. And that's a crime that will not go unpunished:

Stevens: The Senator Who Cried Libel
By Paul Kiel - Nov 19, 2007
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004742.php

On Friday, we noted Sen. Ted Stevens' (R-AK) vague threats to the media, particularly The Anchorage Daily News. If reporters didn't stop tying him and his son to the ongoing Veco bribery scandal, then he'd... well, he didn't say what he'd do. But he'd do something, and those reporters would be sorry.

Well, that wasn't the first time, TPMm Reader DW pointed out to us. Back in 2005, Stevens was furious that journalists were asking about a 2003 earmark ....

And these numbers come before the indictments :rofl:

=====================
Poll: Stevens' And Young's Ratings In Bad Shape
By Eric Kleefeld - Nov 19, 2007
http://tpmelectioncentral.com/2007/11/poll_stevens_and_youngs_ratings_in_bad_shape.php

A new poll from Alaska firm Hays Research shows Senator Ted Stevens (R) and Congressman Don Young (R), who have both been caught up in ethics scandals, suffering from pretty bad ratings.

Only 44% of respondents gave Ted Stevens a positive ratings, compared to 38% who feel negatively about him. But as it turns out, Stevens' numbers are the good ones. Young has a positive rating of 34%, with 48% negative. ....

‘Brothers’ Stevens, Inouye share defense-earmark haul
By Roxana Tiron - Nov 20, 2007
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/brothers-stevens-inouye-share-defense-earmark-haul-2007-11-20.html

Sens. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) call each other “brother,” and that brotherly relationship is paying off in defense earmarks worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Stevens, the longest-serving Senate Republican, has secured $194 million in earmarks, while Inouye can boast of earmarks totaling $203.6 million, according to a database compiled by watchdog organization Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS).

The two veteran lawmakers, who have given thousands of dollars in political contributions to each other, looked out for each other in the final 2008 defense appropriations bill. Inouye is the chairman of the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, while Stevens is the ranking member. Inouye this year contributed $10,000 from his political action committee to Stevens. ..........

Can someone explain why it is legal (if it is) to use campaign contributions for legal defense of officials?
Isn't that like tax exemptions for helping criminals??? :rofl:

=====================
Incumbents being investigated raise $1.2M
By Matt Kelley, USA TODAY - 11/19/2007
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=83899


WASHINGTON - Seven lawmakers seeking re-election while under federal investigation raked in nearly three times as much in campaign donations as their opponents.....

The incumbents raised more than $1.2 million, while six challengers raised almost $425,000 .....

Many contributors want to influence current actions in Congress, not necessarily the next election .....

Despite the investigations, most of the lawmakers remain in powerful positions......

Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young took in $143,000 during the past quarter, compared with $236,000 for the same period in 2005, when he was chairman of the transportation committee.

Young's campaign spent more on lawyers - nearly $185,000 - than it took in, but it ended September with nearly $1.5 million in the bank, the most of any lawmaker under investigation.

Timeline: Alaska Legislature Corruption Scandal
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/347/alaska-corruption.html


January 8, 2006:
Eagle River Rep. Pete Kott allegedly calls Allen about the oil tax and natural gas pipeline legislation just as the state legislature is preparing to meet.

.....

May 7, 2006:
During House floor debate on oil taxation, Allen and VECO vice president and its chief lobbyist Rick Smith call Kott and tell him how to vote.

......

August 31, 2006:
Teams of federal agents execute search warrants in Anchorage, Juneau, Wasilla, Girdwood and Eagle River in a federal investigation involving allegations of illegal gifts to law makers from VECO. FBI agents search the offices of six Alaska lawmakers, including the offices of U.S. Senator Ted Steven's son, Ben Stevens.

September 1, 2006:
Federal agents execute more search warrants and seek out evidence .....

September 18, 2006:
The FBI conducts a second search on the legislative office of Sen. Ben Stevens, seizing documents.

.....

July 17, 2007:
Ted Stevens files his personal financial disclosure form and says every bill he and his wife received for renovations to their home was paid "with our own money."

July 24, 2007:
The Wall Street Journal reports that Rep. Don Young is under federal investigation for possibly taking bribes, illegal gratuities, or unreported gifts from VECO.

July 30, 2007:
The FBI executes a search warrant at Ted Stevens' Alaska home...

...find a complete overview of the events in the Alaska political investigations on The Anchorage Daily News Website (http://www.adn.com/news/politics/fbi/).

Alaska lawmaker quiz (Hint: Be cynical)
By JOEL CONNELLY - P-I COLUMNIST - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/connelly/340777_joel23.html


On a day identified with cold turkey, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, is an ideal column subject. He's a turkey, and he's spent the past few years soliciting cold campaign cash from those seeking federal highway money.

With aid from a recent, superlative Anchorage Daily News investigative project, here is a quiz on the self-titled "congressman for all Alaska":

1) Rep. Don Young has not faced a serious challenge in this decade, yet he and his political action committee have taken political contributions from highwaymen and others totaling:

a) Just over $2 million
b) $6.5 million
c) $5.5 million
d) $4.5 million

2) As chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Young put in a $72 million earmark for a highway link between Pine Bluff, Ark., and a future Interstate 69. Did he get anything?

...............

My turn: Alaskans deserve truth about Stevens
BOB THORSTENSON JR. - Nov 28, 2007
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/112807/opi_20071128003.shtml


Alaskans deserve truth about Sen. Ted Stevens, and they surely won't find it in the sham Web site the Alaska Democratic Party put together.

I am a current member of the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board. We meet again in Anchorage on Dec. 19. I have counted at least two dozen inferences, untruths and intentional lies on the Alaska Democratic Party's Web site regarding our board and its operations. The AFMB was put together with Saltonstahl-Kennedy funds that were supposed to be in a dedicated marketing account.

After years of constituent work done by UFA, work that began while Ben Stevens was still back east getting his MBA, Sen. Ted Stevens set up the AFMB and brought back $36 million to Alaska for seafood marketing. The 11-member board that was set up includes the major players in Alaska seafood marketing, transportation, wholesale and retail, as well as four active commercial fishermen. We named Ben chairman, not Ted. The other misstatements, untruths and outright lies are too numerous to name here.

I am also the executive director of Southeast Alaska Seiners Association, a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1968. I counted at least a dozen untruths, misstatements and outright lies regarding our part in this Web site that the Alaska Democratic Party has put together. Their main source is an NPR radio piece done this summer. ..........

GOP Leaders Should Confront Sen. Stevens
http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/502763.html

It is more than sad when a longtime officeholder, perhaps too enamored of his own importance, veers off ethical course after a lifetime of honorable public service. Yet that’s what has become of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, the Senate’s longest-serving Republican and once the chairman of the mighty Senate Appropriations Committee.

...........

Senate GOP leaders, perhaps fearing the famously grudge-holding Stevens’ ability to retaliate through the legislative process, have remained relatively quiet about his case.

They should not. Indeed, they should demand that he step aside. For if the congressional GOP is to have any hope of regaining voters trust, party leaders cannot and should not tolerate the stench of corruption in their midst.

I wish the old coot would just give it up and come home. Some real positive changes have started happening up here as a result of the VECO scandal, and Ted and Don both are just standing in the way of progress at this point.

I guess it is though huh. So many of Americas politicians are for the most part some corrupt bastids

Lavish Congressional Fishing Vacations May Have Violated Ethics Rules
June 28, 2006 - http://thinkprogress.org/2006/06/28/waterfall-murkowski


Since 1996, at least 10 current and former lawmakers have attended an annual “Waterfall Fishing Tournament” at the expensive Waterfall resort in Alaska. Marketplace, which reported on this story yesterday, noted that the event benefited a charity run by former Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK). Some facts on the trip:

The trip was an opportunity for “the energy industry’s top brass” to influence lawmakers. In addition to the lawmakers, high-ranking executives from the nation’s top oil firms — including British Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, and Amoco — attended the Waterfall excursions. Companies with business before Congress occasionally provided free trips to Waterfall for lawmakers and top executives on private company jets.

Lawmakers may have violated congressional ethics rules by not paying for the trips. A 1996 letter to Murkowski from the Senate Ethics Committee “expressly forbid senators from accepting free travel or lodging to attend the event.” A separate 1996 rule also banned House members. Nevertheless, nine out of the 10 lawmakers who attended the Waterfall trips accepted free travel or lodging. ........

The Big Fish by William Kistner and Steve Henn
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/staffers/c1.html

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
shows off a prize catch. View more images of the annual fishing event in Alaska.

Listen to this story = http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/marketplace/2006/06/26_mpp?start=00:00:19:51.0&end=00:00:27:15.0

Every August, some of the most powerful members of Congress pack their gear to go fishing at an exclusive resort in the Alaskan bush.

"Speaker Hastert is a great fisherman; loves fishing," says Red Cavaney, who is not in Congress, but is a regular on the trips. Senator Kit Bond, R-Mo., is a regular, too. "He enjoys sitting out there, pole in hand, cigar in mouth and having the time of his life."

Cavaney says Trent Lott, the senator from Mississippi and former Republican majority leader, also wet a line in the Alaska waters. "In the after-fishing hours, he's a delightful person to be with," says Cavaney.

The annual fishing event has been going on for more than a decade. The lodge where the trip takes place costs almost $1,000 a night. .........

The Big Fish - Lawmakers and Waterfall
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/staffers/lawmakers.html


A series of media investigations in the early 1990s focused public attention on charity fundraisers where members of Congress skied, fished and golfed with corporate lobbyists. Politicians attended these events for free in the name of raising money for a good cause. Critics saw these events differently, arguing that they allowed for unseemly influence peddling by special interests.

In 1996 both the House and Senate passed new ethics restrictions banning their members from accepting free trips to recreational charity fundraisers. But at least one of these events continued with business as usual: the Waterfall Fishing Tournament. In 2003 the House, but not the Senate, lifted this restriction to facilitate a charity golf tournament organized by former House Majority Leader Tom Delay.

Marketplace identified 10 current and former members of Congress who have taken part in Waterfall charity over the last decade. These lawmakers are allowed to attend as long as the charity does not pay for travel or lodging associated with the event. Some lawmakers used Political Action Committee or campaign funds to pay for at least part of their trips — others simply ignored the rules — still others did not disclose the trips either on campaign reports or in Congressional travel disclosures.

...............

6 records found - http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=zk39j&txtState=(all%20states)&txtCand=vitter&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor       Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL       VECO INC    10/13/2004     $1,000    Vitter, David
CHAN, ROGER       VECO INC    10/13/2004     $1,000    Vitter, David
CORKRAN, THOMAS   VECO INC    10/13/2004     $1,000    Vitter, David
LEATHARD, PETER   VECO INC    10/13/2004     $1,000    Vitter, David
SLACK, JAMES      VECO INC    10/13/2004     $1,000    Vitter, David
SMITH, RICHARD    VECO INC    10/13/2004     $1,000    Vitter, David

8 records found - http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=zk39j&txtState=(all%20states)&txtCand=bond&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor         Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, WILLIAM J    VECO        9/3/1997       $1,000    Bond, Christopher S
ALLEN, WILLIAM J    VECO       12/4/1997       $1,000    Bond, Christopher S
LEATHARD, PETER     VECO        9/3/1997       $1,000    Bond, Christopher S
LEATHARD, PETER     VECO       12/4/1997         $500    Bond, Christopher S
MOLYNEUX, VAL J     VECO        9/3/1997         $500    Bond, Christopher S
MONAGHAN, TERRENCE  VECO       12/4/1997         $500    Bond, Christopher S
MONAGHAN, TERRENCE  VECO        9/3/1997         $250    Bond, Christopher S
SMITH, RICK         VECO       8/13/1997         $266    Bond, Christopher S

6 records found - http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=eq4kd&txtState=(all%20states)&txtCand=sununu&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor         Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL J       VECO        6/30/2002      $1,000    Sununu, John E
ALLEN, MARK J       VECO        6/30/2002      $1,000    Sununu, John E
CHAN, ROGER J       VECO        6/25/2002      $1,000    Sununu, John E
LEATHARD, PETER     VECO        6/30/2002      $1,000    Sununu, John E
LEATHARD, STEVEN    VECO        6/29/2002      $1,000    Sununu, John E
SMITH, RICHARD L    VECO        6/30/2002      $1,000    Sununu, John E

Senator James DeMint got a bundle of money from the VECO gang.
http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=eq4kd&txtState=(all%20states)&txtCand=DeMint%20&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor       Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL J     VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    DeMint, James W
CHAN, ROGER J     VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    DeMint, James W
CORKRAN, TOM      VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    DeMint, James W
LEATHARD, PETER   VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    DeMint, James W
SLACK, JAMES      VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    DeMint, James W
SMITH, RICHARD    VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    DeMint, James W

Senator John Thune got a bundle of money from the VECO gang.
http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=eq4kd&txtState=(all%20states)&txtCand=Thune&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor       Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL J    VECO         7/6/2002       $1,000    Thune, John
ALLEN, MARK J    VECO         7/6/2002       $1,000    Thune, John
CHAN, ROGER J    VECO         7/6/2002       $1,000    Thune, John
LEATHARD, PETER  VECO         7/6/2002       $1,000    Thune, John
LEATHARD, STEVEN VECO         7/6/2002       $1,000    Thune, John
SMITH, RICHARD   VECO         7/6/2002       $1,000    Thune, John

6 records found - http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=eq4kd&txtState=(all%20states)&txtCand=burr&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor       Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL       VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    Burr, Richard
CHAN, ROGER       VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    Burr, Richard
CORKRAN, THOMAS   VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    Burr, Richard
LEATHARD, PETER   VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    Burr, Richard
SLACK, JAMES      VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    Burr, Richard
SMITH, RICHARD    VECO        10/13/2004     $1,000    Burr, Richard

6 records found - http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=eq4kd&txtS... (all%20states)&txtCand=burr&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor       Occupation  Date           Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL J     VECO        10/20/1997     $2,000    Voinovich, George V
ALLEN, BILL J     VECO        10/28/1997     $1,000    Voinovich, George V
ALLEN, BILL J     VECO        10/28/1997    ($1,000)   Voinovich, George V
ALLEN, MARK J     VECO        10/20/1997       $500    Voinovich, George V
CHAN, ROGER J     VECO        10/20/1997       $500    Voinovich, George V
MOLYNEUX, V J     VECO        10/20/1997       $250    Voinovich, George V
MONAGHAN, TERENCE VECO        10/20/1997       $500    Voinovich, George V

Follow the posts here for more on the money stream:

Oct-16-07 = Stevens, Corrupt VECO CEO Campaign Contributions. More R Senators Involved.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2062738

Check out this list for felons who pay bribes to politicians:

24 records found = $22,050 = http://opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?key=jxkq2&txtS... (all%20states)&txtCand=bush&txtEmploy=veco&txtAll=Y&Order=N

Contributor    Occupation       Date    Amount    Recipient
ALLEN, BILL    VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
ALLEN, BILL    VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
ALLEN, BILL    VECO         6/7/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
ALLEN, MARK    VECO         6/4/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
ALLEN, MARK    VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
ALLEN, MARK    VECO         6/7/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
CHAN, ROGER    VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
CHAN, ROGER    VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
CHEATHAM, T    VECO        2/26/2004      $300    Bush, George W
CLENDENNEN, M  VECO        3/22/2004      $250    Bush, George W
CORKRAN, T     VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
CORKRAN, T     VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
CORKRAN, T     VECO         6/7/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
LEATHARD, P    VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
LEATHARD, P    VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
LEATHARD, P    VECO         6/7/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
MCKEE, R       VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
MONAGHAN, T    VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
SLACK, J       VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
SLACK, J       VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
SMITH, R       VECO        4/22/1999    $1,000    Bush, George W
SMITH, R       VECO        2/26/2004    $1,000    Bush, George W
SMITH, R       VECO        6/17/2004      $500    Bush, George W
WEST, BILL L   VECO         1/5/2000    $1,000    Bush, George W