Posted on 12/30/2010 3:52:49 PM PST by Attention Surplus Disorder
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), who allegedly received a sweetheart real estate deal in exchange for securing a Bill Clinton presidential pardon for one of his associates, among other allegations, will leave the U.S. Senate in January free from investigations or prosecution.
A public-interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption reported on Wednesday that on December 20, 2010, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics -- commonly known as the Senate Ethics Committee -- dismissed a Judicial Watch ethics complaint filed against outgoing Senator Christopher Dodd.
Judicial Watch's complaint alleges that Senator Dodd assisted a longtime friend and associate, Ed Downe, to obtain a reduced sentence and ultimately a full presidential pardon from President Clinton for tax and securities crimes, in exchange for gifts, including a sweetheart mortgage deal that he failed to properly disclose on his Senate Financial Disclosure forms.
According to the Senate Ethics Committee response: "The Committee has carefully evaluated the allegations and information in your complaint… After considering all of the information before it, the Committee has determined that there is not sufficient substantial credible evidence of improper conduct or violation within its jurisdiction to warrant further action by the Committee."
In its response, the Senate Ethics Committee members defined their jurisdiction: "To receive complaints and investigate allegations of improper conduct which may reflect upon the Senate, violations of law, violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct, and violations of rules and regulations of the Senate…" The Committee's letter was signed by John C. Sussman, Chief Counsel and Staff Director.
The ethics complaint, filed on April 24, 2009, provided substantial evidence that Dodd engaged in a corrupt quid pro quo deal to help a criminal business associate: "This complaint concerns recent media reports alleging Senator Christopher Dodd used his position and influence as a United States Senator to intervene on behalf of his longtime friend and business associate, Edward Downe, Jr. Senator Dodd is then alleged to have benefited financially as a result of his intervention, and failed to disclose the financial benefits by filing inaccurate Senate Financial Disclosure Statements from 2002 through at least 2007."
Judicial Watch's complaint alleges that Senator Dodd appeared at a hearing on behalf of Downe in 1993 to help him obtain a reduced sentence for violations involving tax and securities laws. In 2001, Dodd ultimately helped Downe secure a full presidential pardon for his crimes on President Clinton's last day in office, bypassing the normal pardon vetting process. The pardon of renegade financier Mark Rich by Clinton created such an intense firestorm that very few in the news media noticed Downe's sweetheart deal brokered by Dodd.
Dodd was elected United States Senator in the elections of 1980, and is now the longest-serving senator in Connecticut's history, the 8th most senior of current senators and one of three from the 1980 freshman class who is still serving. The Dodd campaigns were heavily funded by the financial services industry, which is regulated by committees Dodd chairs in the Senate.
Opensecrets.org reports that Dodd has received over $223,000 from AIG employees, many of whom were Connecticut residents, for his campaigns. Additionally, it has recently been revealed that Dodd's wife is a former Director for Bermuda-based IPC Holdings, a company controlled by AIG.
In 2002, Dodd allegedly received a significantly reduced, below-market sales price, for a two-thirds interest in a property located in County Galway, Ireland, from Downe's associate William Kessinger. (Dodd already owned a one-third interest in the property.) Downe's signature appears on the property transfer documents. He is listed as a witness.
According to the Judicial Watch complaint, Senator Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, allegedly failed to report the gift in 2002 and may have filed inaccurate Senate Financial Disclosure forms related to the property in subsequent years in violation of the 1978 Ethics in Government Act. The penalty for filing false financial disclosure forms is $50,000 and up to one year in prison.
(NOTE: After Judicial Watch filed its Senate Ethics complaint, Dodd amended his Senate financial disclosure forms. However, the property may yet remain undervalued.)
"The evidence indicates Dodd helped out a crooked friend, received a cut-rate real estate deal on a property in Ireland in exchange, and then lied on his financial disclosure forms to cover it all up. This type of behavior is potentially criminal and certainly unethical, and it is shameful the Senate Ethics Committee failed to take this matter seriously," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
"The Senate Ethics Committee sat on our complaint for nearly two years, and then dismissed it out of hand days before Dodd's Senate career ends. Even in corrupt Washington, the Ethics Committee's despicable handling of the Dodd matter is about as bad it gets. No wonder Congress's approval rating is just 13%, an all-time low," Fitton added.
The Senate Ethics Committee is made up of an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. Its current members are Barbara Boxer, D-California, Chairman; Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, Vice Chairman; Mark L. Pryor, D-Arkansas; Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Pat Roberts, R-Kansas; James E. Risch, R-Idaho.
In 2008, Senator Dodd came under fire for receiving preferential loan terms from Countrywide Financial as a member of the company's "VIP Program." Ethics Committee Chair Barbara Boxer just made Judicial Watch's 2010 list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for her conflicted handling of the Countrywide scandal.
Special Thanks to Judicial Watch's Jill Farrell for her help with this report.
Jim Kouri, CPP, formerly Fifth Vice-President, is currently a Board Member of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a columnist for Examiner.com and New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he's a blogger for the Cheyenne, Wyoming Fox News Radio affiliate KGAB (www.kgab.com). Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer and columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. Kouri appears regularly as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Fox News Channel, Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, etc.
To subscribe to Kouri's newsletter write to COPmagazine@aol.com and write "Subscription" on the subject line.
Yep — sen dodd no prob w/ malfeasance and machinations with millions; but just let that dangerous, pretty conservative Christine O’Donnell buy a happy meal w/ campaign funds, or pay the rent? Oh boy, call in the FBI and keep your boot on her neck.
Sounds like an episode from Robin Hood.
> Sounds like an episode from Robin Hood.
Didn’t you know? Our _resident is a Robber from the Hood.
> Sounds like an episode from Robin Hood.
Didn’t you know? Our _resident is a Robber from the Hood.
They need to put some forensic accounts on this guy and see where his money came from.
The Face of the Ugly Traitors’ to America! Dodd cared nothing for America and only how he could criminally RIP OFF America and Get Away with IT! Looks like He is still Successful so far! But maybe Justice is breathing down the Scumbag’s back? Maybe? Lets HOPE FOR CHANGE! REAL CHANGE!!
Lets PRAY for Ethical and Moral Government for AMERICA!
he should be prosecuted by the people, tried, and when found guilty, hanged.
Good one.
Maybe someone should investigate Republicans Risch, Roberts and Isaakson. If not for malfeasance, at least for a lack of guts.
Power is real, and in the hands of power justice is a lie
Dodd learned it good from his daddy, and his daddy was right.
Chris Dodd should be tried along with his pal Barney Frank for destroying the financial well being of this country.
The Nobels no longer have to worry about the law or integrity. That is only for the serfs and urchins.
Pray for the Tea Party Congress
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