McDermott returns contribution linked to Hussein's regime [Remember Ole' Jim????]

MLIVE ^

[Sub-Driver]

McDermott returns contribution linked to Hussein's regime

The Associated Press 4/17/2004, 6:19 p.m. ET

SEATTLE (AP) — Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington has returned a $5,000 contribution made to his legal defense fund by an Iraqi-American businessman who has acknowledged financial ties with Saddam Hussein's regime.

Shakir al-Khafaji, a Detroit-area businessman who had been active in the anti-Iraq-war movement, accompanied McDermott on his 2002 trip to Iraq. During the trip, McDermott garnered national attention for criticizing President Bush and calling for an alternative to war.

After the trip, Al-Khafaji donated $5,000 to McDermott's legal defense fund set up by the congressman to pay expenses from an unrelated lawsuit.

In January, a Baghdad newspaper published what it said was an Iraqi government document naming 270 recipients of oil vouchers from around the world. Al-Khafaji was one of two Americans on the list.

This week, he told the Financial Times of London that he received lucrative vouchers for Iraqi oil from Saddam's government. He couldn't be reached for comment at his home or business.

Al-Khafaji is also a financial supporter of a nonprofit organization, Life for Relief and Development, which paid McDermott's $5,510 travel expenses for the Iraq trip, according to a disclosure form filed with the House clerk.

Mike DeCesare, McDermott's spokesman, said the congressman decided to return the contribution upon hearing of the Financial Times report. He said McDermott was unaware of al-Khafaji's business dealings with the Iraqi government at the time of his trip to Iraq.

"They met literally for the first time on that trip. They did not know each other prior to that," DeCesare said.

Al-Khafaji also paid $400,000 to finance a documentary by former U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter that was highly critical of the U.S. government's stance toward Iraq. Ritter has said he did not know of al-Khafaji's connections to oil money.

Al-Khafaji, who owns a real-estate development business, also contributed to the campaigns of former U.S. Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich., and U.S. Rep. John Conyers, also a Michigan

[Sub-Driver]

should be in jail.........

[Texas Eagle]

What is the unrelated lawsuit McTermite is involved with?

[philo]

Unfortunately, Returning the money probably cost him some votes in Seattle.

[DUMBGRUNT]

Hey! They forgot to put the letter after his name! I have no idea, just what sort of critter McDermott might be?

[Starve The Beast]

However, he did state that he intended to keep the friendship ring given to him by Osama bin Laden.

[Cicero]

Next he'll be saying he didn't really know who Saddam Hussein was, either. He just happened to meet the fellow in Baghdad.

[zygoat]

I'll give you a hint- it has long ears and ends with-ass.

[FairOpinion]

Didn't it take him just a wee bit too long?

Where did he return it, did he addressed to Saddam in the Iraqi jail?

[Balding_Eagle]

But will he return the Oil-for-Food money?

[rrrod]

I just wonder how many RATS are under investigation????

[THX 1138]

They don't call him Jihad Jim for nuthin'...

[fish hawk]

Aaahhh Geeeee you guys, how was I to know someone named Shikir al-Khafaju would be Arab and tied to tyrants and terrorists???? DDuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh

[mass55th]

"What is the unrelated lawsuit McTermite is involved with?"

I believe it's the lawsuit pertaining to the '97 taped conference call. He's being sued by Republican Congressman John Boehner.

Al-Khafaji is also the guy who gave Scott Ritter his movie money I believe.

[Ole Okie]

Hey! They forgot to put the letter after his name

Ah, but he's a Representative, so it's only logical that he should be listed as Congersman James McDermott (Rep) in the absolutely unbiased left wing media.

[mabelkitty]

Check was in the mail when he went over the Iraq.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

I've seen reports that say celebrities who visited Iraq got oil vouchers. These included politicians, entertainment and media folks. What about that, Jim McDermott, David Boner and Mike Thompson? Sean Penn?

According to the reports the vouchers were for relatively small amounts of oil handed out as "thank you gifts." Oil traders knowing that celebrities were in town and likely staying at a popular hotel flocked to the hotel to bid on and collect the vouchers.

[Alex Wysocki]

The usual suspects are listed. I'm reminded
of Disraeli's observation; "That, no one fights political battles for the sake of peace and quiet; no downright incorruptible idealist could endure the wire-pulling, charlatany, humbug, chicanery, place seeking, timeserving, and power snatching which are necessary ingredients of politics; and the spectacle of a successful and mainly disinterested statesman, whether right, left or center is one that the world awaits in vain.