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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: combjelly who wrote (288461)	5/18/2006 1:48:56 PM
From: Alighieri	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1571808

Remember the red states? How things change... mydd.com The list of ABBers grows... Al

To: combjelly who wrote (288461)	5/18/2006 3:49:03 PM
From: Road Walker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1571808

These guys are a piece of work... House Ethics Panel to Probe Abramoff Ties By LARRY MARGASAK, Associated Press Writer Thu May 18, 7:08 AM ET The House ethics committee, paralyzed by political gridlock for some 16 months, broke out of its doldrums by announcing four separate investigations, including the first congressional probe of a lawmaker linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The panel had become the symbol of political impotence as its five Republicans and five Democrats fought furiously amid a slew of bribery allegations that blackened the congressional image. During all of this, Abramoff admitted providing trips, meals and other gifts to lawmakers in return for legislative favors, and he is cooperating with a Justice Department investigation that could involve a number of legislators. The ethics committee's chairman, Rep. Doc Hastings (news, bio, voting record), R-Wash., and the panel's new top Democrat, Rep. Howard Berman (news, bio, voting record) of California, announced Wednesday that the committee would look into possible rules violations by Ohio Republican Bob Ney and a Democrat, William Jefferson of Louisiana. The Ney investigation will focus on whether he received gifts and other benefits from Abramoff and his lobbying team in return for official actions. The Jefferson probe will consider whether the lawmaker or family members received cash, stock or other financial benefits from a technology company, iGate, and several individuals in return for helping the company as it sought business in Africa. The committee leaders didn't stop there. They initiated an inquiry into whether other lawmakers were involved in a bribery scandal that landed former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., in prison with an eight-year sentence. The fourth announcement concerned Rep. Tom DeLay, and would have been far more dramatic a few months ago when he was still majority leader. The ethics leaders said they would have investigated the financing of DeLay's overseas travel had he not decided to leave Congress on June 9 to fight an indictment on a separate investigation in Texas. The ethics panel has no jurisdiction over lawmakers once they leave Congress. Records have shown that Abramoff or his clients financed some of DeLay's travel. The Texas Republican has denied any misconduct. By targeting a member of each party, committee leaders avoided allegations of partisanship in a year when Democrats are trying to make Republican misconduct a major campaign issue. Despite the inclusion of Jefferson, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called the announcement "long overdue." Ney's former top aide pleaded guilty last week to conspiring to corrupt the congressman on behalf of Abramoff and his clients. Two businessmen have pleaded guilty to bribing Jefferson to promote iGate's operations in Africa. Ney said he welcomed the investigation. Jefferson had no immediate comment. "For the last 15 months, all I have asked for is an opportunity to have the facts surrounding the Abramoff matter to be reviewed by the appropriate investigative bodies in order to have this matter addressed once and for all," Ney said in a statement. Ney's former leading aide, Neil Volz, admitted he conspired to corrupt Ney, his staff and other members of Congress with trips, free tickets, meals, jobs for relatives and fundraising events. Volz enumerated 16 actions he said his old boss took on behalf of Abramoff clients. Jefferson's office had no immediate comment; the lawmaker has previously denied wrongdoing. The ethics committee had been unable to forge a majority for any investigations since the beginning of last year. The stalemate began when the House GOP leadership removed two Republican members of the committee, along with the Republican chairman, after they had admonished DeLay for his conduct. Since then, the committee has fought over committee rules and staffing. In April, the committee's top Democrat, Rep. Alan Mollohan (news, bio, voting record) of West Virginia, stepped down after published reports questioned his role in steering federal money to nonprofit group led by his supporters. Mollohan had feuded constantly with the current chairman, Hastings. Replacing Mollohan was Berman, who earlier was the committee's top Democrat. Berman had good relations with Republicans on the panel. Ron Bonjean, spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, said the switch made all the difference. "Isn't it interesting that when the chief Democrat quits the stalled ethics panel under scrutiny, his replacement is able to easily work with House Republicans to move the process forward?" Bonjean said. ___ On the Net: House ethics committee: house.gov