Posted on 07/21/2005 1:13:47 PM PDT by Liz
In 1998.....Kay Elizabeth LiCausi, a 26-year-old graduate of Rutgers....started a job as scheduler.......for Representative Robert Menendez (D-NJ).....who was soon to become the highest-ranking Hispanic member of Congress. She quickly gained his trust, and less than three years later was promoted to director of his NJ headquarters.
But in 2002..... Ms. LiCausi left his staff. Since then.......She has amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts as consultant, lobbyist and fund-raiser.
Some of the work was orchestrated by Mr. Menendez, who steered more than $200,000 worth of political consulting and fund-raising contracts her way. Several of her clients are businesses and organizations run by prominent supporters of Mr. Menendez. LiCausi has lobbied her former boss on their behalf.
The revolving door between government and lobbying hangs on a well-oiled hinge, and tales of former lawmakers or high-ranking staff members cashing in on their relationships and inside knowledge are almost clichés.
But what has struck many seasoned politicians and consultants in New Jersey is the speed of Ms. LiCausi's ascent and the scope of her work, even in the state's forgiving political culture.
"This woman starts out as a midlevel staffer and then, all of a sudden, she's the greatest lobbyist on the East Coast?" said Bobby Jackson, publisher of a small newspaper in Jersey City.........
Both Ms. LiCausi, who is 33 and single, and Mr. Menendez, 51 and recently divorced, refused to address any aspect of their nonprofessional lives. "That's strictly personal," Mr. Menendez said.
"The bottom line is," Mr. Menendez said, ......"Do I do my job ethically? Do I work hard for them every day? Do I fight for them every day? Am I willing to make difficult decisions, even in the face of adversity? I think my whole life has been about that."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Man, what a sweet deal for Menendez. Can you say kickback? And money-laundering?
I suppose we should be glad he's straight.
Typical sleazy NJ state politics. Unfortunately I live in NJ and hate it.
Any suggestions for those of us stuck here having these type of people represent us would be appreciated (I have tried voting them out of office but my single vote only goes so far)
I'm guessing you don't mean straight as opposed to crooked. <;)
This is particularly sleazy in light of the fact that Menendez is angling for Corzine's Senate seat if Jon gets elected governor.
He's straight, as opposed to crocked?? Hmmm; he is from NJ - hard to say!
Ut, oh, ---Menendez may have to put a guy in a Calvin Klein peasant shirt with cleanshaven underarms on the payroll to pander to the gay vote-----after all, this is the land of Cipel, McGreevey's Homeland Security "expert" (poster laughs uproariously).
Tsk. Tsk. You should have a problem if he were not, or the girl were underage?
More typical sleazy DemoCRAPic politics...wonder what party Tony Soprano votes?
You gotta love this guy's carved up voting district too. 
Menendez's district is specially made to order to include the most Hispanics possible so he cannot be voted out of office. How in the Hell should a district go from North Bergen all the way down to Perth Amboy! It's noncontiguous and it cuts and slices its way through at least 3 different counties!
I recently saw a documentary on PBS about Newark's last mayoral race. I couldn't believe all the crap Sharpe James is allowed to get away with. And, he keeps getting elected!
"Unfortunately I live in NJ and hate it."
Q. Why are NYC residents always so depressed?
A. The light at the end of their tunnel is New Jersey.
Move to Texas, hoss. My brother moved here from NJ two years ago. His job prospects are better here. What's more, he did not get half a dozen dates during the five years he was in Jersey. Since moving to Texas, he has found his true love and is engaged.
Well, I'd say it would be very helpful if the feds nailed some of these crooks.
Menendez is so obviously on the take.....he and the lady whor, uh, I mean "lobbyist," are socking it away in an offshore bank.
The $200,000 noted is just airfare to the Caymen's, and to buy the prost, uh, I mean the "lobbyist" Victoria's Secret outfits.
Well, it does look contiguous, even if a tad serpentine.
Silly question.....Jerry Mander worked it out....for another 'fee.'..;^)
Elizabeth is not connected to Bayonne.
Word from Hudson County is that Menendez has an apartment with her in D.C. and has had it for some time. Way before he was divorced.
A NYT hit piece on a dem? The NYT must have another dem who is a left-wing extremists minority tinkerbell that they think is better suited to represent this district in Congress.
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