RNC: Democrats Of Distinction

More from the RNC; this time on ethically challenged Dems.

Obama: “Americans Put Their Faith In Democrats Because They Want Us To Restore Their Faith In Government -- And That Means More Than Window Dressing When It Comes To Ethics Reform.”  (Sen. Barack Obama, Op-Ed, “A Chance To Change The Game,” The Washington Post, 1/4/07)

THESE DAYS, THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF “WINDOW DRESSING” AND NOT A LOT OF ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AMONG DEMOCRATS

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Is Facing A Senate Ethics Probe Over His Murky Relationship With A Major Campaign Contributor

“Sen. Robert Menendez, The Powerful New Jersey Democrat Who This Week Was Named Chairman Of The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Is Facing A Senate Ethics Probe Into Whether He Accepted Inappropriate Gifts From A Wealthy Florida Eye Surgeon Who Is Under FBI Investigation.” (Joseph Tanfani, “Sen. Robert Menendez Under Growing Scrutiny Over Ethics Questions,” Los Angeles Times, 2/1/13)

In 2010, Menendez Accepted Two Round-Trip Flights Aboard Melgen’s Jet To The Dominican Republic But Failed To Report Them As Gifts Or Reimburse Him At The Time. “Aides to the senator said, however, that Mr. Menendez had accepted two round-trip flights aboard Dr. Melgen’s jet for personal vacations in the Dominican Republic in 2010. He failed to report them as gifts or reimburse Dr. Melgen at the time, as required, and this month he sent the doctor a check to cover the cost of the flights.” (Raymond Hernandez and Frances Robles, “Senator Has Long Ties To Donor Under Scrutiny,” The New York Times, 1/31/13)

• After The Senate Ethics Committee Was Asked To Investigate Flights Menendez Has Taken On Melgen’s Private Jet, Menendez Wrote Melgen A Check For $58,500.“Menendez cut Melgen a check last month from his personal account for $58,000 to reimburse him for two of the trips. But this came only after a New Jersey state lawmaker had last year asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate flights Menendez had taken on Melgen’s private plane but had not disclosed. Menendez himself has not addressed the allegations.”(Jordy Yager, “Menendez Allegations Growing Rapidly, Creating Headache For Democrats,” The Hill, 2/2/13)
• The $58,000 That Menendez Paid To Melgen Could Be Up To 87 Percent Of His Personal Wealth. “So Menendez’s decision last month to use his personal funds to reimburse a prominent political contributor $58,500 for two flights to the Dominican Republic came at a major cost. The repayment amounts to between 32 percent and 87 percent of the assets Menendez reported holding in bank accounts and stock, according to his latest financial-disclosure form, which was filed last year.” (Shane Goldmacher, “Bob Menedez Spent Up To 87 Percent Of Wealth To Pay Back Donor,” National Journal, 2/5/13)
• Melanie Sloan, Executive Director Of Citizens For Responsibility And Ethics In Washington: “The Guy Clearly Violated The Rules, And He Clearly Was Hoping To Get Away With It.” “By paying for the trips, even more than two years later, Menendez will probably be able to avoid being charged with an ethics violation, said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a government watchdog group. ‘That doesn't mean it's OK,’ Sloan said. ‘The guy clearly violated the rules, and he clearly was hoping to get away with it.’” (Joseph Tanfani, “Sen. Robert Menendez Under Growing Scrutiny Over Ethics Questions,” Los Angeles Times, 2/1/13)

“Since 1992, Melgen, His Family And His Company Vitreo-Retinal Consultants Have Contributed $1.14 Million To Various Political Candidates And Committees.” (Marc Caputo, “With Sex, The FBI And Shady Characters, The Menendez Saga Is A Florida Whodunit,” The Miami Herald, 2/3/13)

• “Menendez’s Campaign Efforts Received 53 Percent Of That Money Directly Or Indirectly.” (Marc Caputo, “With Sex, The FBI And Shady Characters, The Menendez Saga Is A Florida Whodunit,” The Miami Herald, 2/3/13)

Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) Owes Thousands Of Dollars In Late Property Taxes

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) Owes Nearly $11, 000 In Late Property Taxes. “U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., currently owes nearly $11,000 in late property tax bills for her Hopkinton home and another home nestled in the White Mountains, WMUR Political Scoop has found.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)

• “In Fact, Property Tax Records Show Kuster Has Been Delinquent On More Than $40,000 In Property Taxes Over The Last Three Years.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)

“This Pattern Of Not Paying Her Taxes Dates Back To 2010, According To The Records.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)

• When She Was Sworn Into Congress, She Owed $14,089.35 In Delinquent Taxes On Her Primary Home. “When she was sworn in to Congress in early January, Kuster owed $14,089.32 in delinquent property taxes on her Hopkinton home. She has since made a tax payment and currently owes $6,998.22 in past-due property taxes on that property.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)
• For Her Primary Home, Kuster Has “Been Delinquent On Six Different, Consecutive Assessments.” “For her primary residence, she’s been delinquent on six different, consecutive assessments. For the most part, Kuster and her husband do eventually pay these bills along with a penalty.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)
• “On The Property In Jackson, She Didn't Pay Either Of The Semi-Annual Tax Bills In 2012 And Owes $3,851.65.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)

As A Member Of Congress, Kuster Makes $174,000 A Year And Personal Financial Disclosures Reveal Her Net Worth To Be About $1.8 Million. “While owing these taxes, Kuster also filed a required personal-finance disclosure form that lists a broad range of personal assets. Using this form, the Center for Responsive Politics estimated her net worth to be around $1.8 million. As a member of Congress, she receives an annual salary of $174,000.” (James Pindell, “U.S Rep. Kuster Owes Nearly $11,000 In Late Property Tax Bills,” WMUR [Manchester, NH], 2/4/13)

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) May End Up In Jail Over Alleged Misuse Of Campaign Contributions

Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) May Have An “Extended Stay Behind Bars” For An “Alleged Misuse Of Campaign Funds.”  “As the trouble train rolls on for former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., new reports indicate the disgraced ex-congressman could be headed for an extended stay behind bars. Jackson and the federal authorities investigating the former representative's alleged misuse of campaign funds are said to have a plea deal in the works, the Sun-Times exclusively reported late Wednesday.” (“Jesse Jackson Jr. Plea Deal: Source Says Disgraced Ex-Congressman’s Deal Includes ‘Significant’ Jail Time,” The Huffington Post, 2/7/13) 

• “‘Significant Jail Time Is Now Definitely A Part Of The Deal,’ A Top Source Told The Sun-Times.” (“Jesse Jackson Jr. Plea Deal: Source Says Disgraced Ex-Congressman’s Deal Includes ‘Significant’ Jail Time,” The Huffington Post, 2/7/13) 

Jackson’s Wife, Former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, Is Being Investigated For A “$69,000 Discrepancy Between Her Campaign Finance Reports And Those Of Her Husband.” “The deal comes after news broke Monday that federal investigators also are taking an independent look at the finances of Jackson's wife, former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson. Sandi Jackson was asked by Illinois' State Board of Elections to explain a $69,000 discrepancy between her campaign finance reports and those of her husband. The former alderman told NBCChicago in December she blamed the conflict on clerical errors made by transitioning staff members and said amendments to her reports were being made.” (Lisa Balde, “JJJ Plea Deal Includes ‘Significant Jail Time:’ Report,” NBCChicago, 2/7/13)

• “Jackson Resigned Late Last Year As Illinois' 2nd District Congressman Amid A Federal Probe And After Months Away From His Political Duties As His Staff Said He Battled Bipolar Depression.” (Lisa Balde, “JJJ Plea Deal Includes ‘Significant Jail Time:’ Report,” NBCChicago, 2/7/13)
• “Less Than Two Months Later, Sandi Jackson Stepped Down Effective Jan. 15 As Alderman For The 7th Ward.” (Lisa Balde, “JJJ Plea Deal Includes ‘Significant Jail Time:’ Report,” NBCChicago, 2/7/13) 

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