Posted on 12/05/2004 9:41:15 AM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO -- Federal records show that Rep. Richard Pombo used campaign funds to pay his wife and brother a total of $255,916 over the past two years -- or 25 cents for every dollar the Tracy Republican raised for his re-election effort.
Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission also show Pombo's campaign paid the congressman's wife, Annette, an additional $39,938 from 2001 to 2002. His brother Randall received $169,299 during the same period, bringing the total payments to the family since 2001 to $465,153.
While it is not unheard of for members of Congress to hire relatives, experts say the amount of money involved in Pombo's case is eye-opening. For example, retiring Rep. Scott McInnis of Colorado made national news this year for paying his wife $39,000 to work as a campaign staffer.
"Spending 25 percent of what you raise on two staffers, especially when they happen to be relatives, raises some serious questions," said Larry Noble of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks federal campaign financing.
Pombo spokeswoman Nicole Philbin declined to comment on the congressman's payroll. "Everything you see is public record. It's all disclosed," she said.
Pombo reported in June that Annette Pombo was earning a salary from the campaign, but he did not disclose the amount.
Federal law prohibits candidates from diverting campaign funds to their personal use or that of their families, yet Federal Election Commission spokesman Bob Biersack said it is not illegal for members of Congress to employ family members on their campaigns.
All employees must actually do campaign work and must be paid about as much as they might get for the same work in another campaign, Noble said. What the prevailing rate is becomes a matter for the Federal Election Commission to decide should someone complain about the case. ::: Advertisement :::
"I can't pass judgment on the legalities," Biersack said. "That would be something for the commission itself. But simply being on the payroll isn't a violation of our statute."
University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato said the commission rarely dings politicians for abusing their campaign funds.
"The FEC defines this pretty loosely," Sabato said. "Those campaign accounts can be used for just about anything and it's legal, so long as it's for campaign work. And who defines campaign work? The congressman."
Pombo, who easily won a seventh term in Congress last month, paid his wife $54,623 last year and $68,173 so far this year, according to the federal reports. The campaign paid Pombo's brother $73,771 in 2003 and $59,350 for the first 11 months of this year, those records show.
The money paid to the Pombos was spread over 146 payments, ranging between $30 and $10,000 for services listed as "bookkeeping," "fund raising" and "clerical."
"This adds up to a quarter-million dollars, which is nearly two times as much as a member of Congress makes," said Fred Wertheimer of the Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group Democracy 21.
By contrast, Pombo's opponent -- Pleasanton mathematician Gerald "Jerry" McNerney -- spent $145,861 on his entire campaign.
Wertheimer said Pombo's contributors probably did not intend for him to spend so much of their money on his wife and brother.
"At some point, this kind of activity becomes an abuse to the donors and the campaign-finance guidelines," he said.
Pombo and McInnis are not the only members of Congress using campaign money to pay their kin. Pombo even has company among the California delegation.
Political action committees controlled by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer have hired her son's fund-raising firm, and Rep. John Doolittle of Rocklin employs his wife's fund-raising company, Sierra Dominion Financial Services, to the tune of $27,000, according to records compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics.
East Bay Rep. Pete Stark and suburban Los Angeles Rep. Howard Berman also employ family members.
The media suddenly feels the obligation to do it's duty when it is a Republican.
Anyone remember the Clinton Family sweetheart deals?
How about the Rainbow Coalition paying for Jesse's lovechild?
How about Kofi's son Kojo?
Pombo was one of the best land rights guys we had. WHY are politicians so greedy!!!!!
Pombo says he wants to implement a sea change in Federal policy and can't even keep his own house clean.
Are there any legislators that we can actually count on left????
nevermind.......
She's still using it to pay for just about everything.
It's legal in MA to keep the money, as long as there's a chance you'll run for political office again.
Here's a link to the searchable Campaign Finance Disclosure site:
Fill in Candidate First and Last name fields and sort by descending Expenditure Date
He still is.
Ping
An obvious wasted talent since he appears unfit for the public trust and therefore his office.
The question remains unanswered: "Can politicians be honest?".
Liberals are just annoyed because Pombo represents a part of the East Bay - territory they consider to be rightfully theirs. Smear him with a scandal, and they might have a chance of picking up his seat in two years.
That's a pretty idiotic thing to say since you don't know the man, and are basing your conclusions on the word of a reporter in a hit piece in the local liberal rag.
I must have missed it in the article...what law was broken?
He still is.
Really?
Federal records show that Rep. Richard Pombo used campaign funds to pay his wife and brother a total of $255,916 over the past two years
I suppose the author could have made a mathematical mistake when adding up the totals but even if his math is off significantly Mr. Pombo appears to be personally enriching himself through the public trust. Regardless of circumstances ethical folks don't divert campaign funds to their families. Ask the folks in Oakland.
Had I contributed to Mr. Pombo's campaign, which I didn't, I'd be in his face personally within the next two weeks asking where my money went.
Don't feel alone Dan. Many on this forum have adopted a blind allegiance to their party and/or political philosophy and those who share their views can simply do no wrong. That's a problem for both you and us. A problem for conservatives who face a constant scrutiny for a hostile press.
Pombo is either just another corrupt politician or he has been stricken with the egomania that can come with election to high public office. One can hope that he won't try to bury this ethical lapse under "business as usual" or spin it with "they all do it".
No it's a problem for you and them. My defense of Congressman Pombo has nothing to do with blind allegiance. I know him and I know the people who work for him. I've seen corruption in this business, I work around it all the time. I've meet the people who wallow in it. You can tell the difference. I'm telling you that's not the case here.
You can think what you want, you can believe me or not, but there is always another side of the story, and it's not being told here.
The citizen legislator is not an opportunity for self enrichment but rather an obligation in a democratic republic.
Regardless of how it is spun it still stinks. Regardless of the messenger the message is still foul. The definition of a Greek tradgedy involves the single, fatal flaw of the otherwise heroic character.
Dan if you know this individual well you might ask him the circumstances behind the diversions and report your findings back to us. I'd be glad to listen to a righteous justification. Don't bother this forum however if it's more spin (ie... it's not illegal).
Actually it's called being an adult, knowing that there is a difference between right and wrong and then exercising the adult responsibility to point out when wrong is either being tolerated or glorified.
When the Pombo's of this world come for you jettester who will defend you?
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