Gee, maybe, just maybe, there might be some corruption amongst DC pubbies AND Democrats. Not every congresscritter is stupid enough to have the evidence in the freezer. Most corruption is a lot harder to ferret out, such as what Reid has done over the years.
I want all the dirty ones run out of town, and I don't care whether they have a "D" or an "R" next to their names. This crap is getting completely out of hand.
Pa. Rep. Curt Weldon under federal probe
Saturday, October 14, 2006
By Greg Gordon, McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department is investigating whether Republican Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania traded his political influence for lucrative lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter, according to sources with direct knowledge of the inquiry. The Russian companies and a Serbian foundation run by the brothers' family each hired a firm co-owned by Mr. Weldon's daughter, Karen, for fees totaling nearly $1 million a year, public records show.
Karen Weldon was 28 and lacked consulting experience when she and Charles Sexton, a Weldon ally and longtime Republican leader in Delaware County, Pa., created the firm of Solutions North America Inc. in 2002. Both are registered with the Justice Department as representatives of foreign clients.
Word of the inquiry, which has been closely held within the Justice Department and the FBI, comes from two individuals with specific knowledge of the existence of the investigation. They both declined to be identified because of the confidentiality of criminal investigations.
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FBI is said to be probing Weldon over his influence
A close friend calls timing of the leaks "awful strange."
By Todd Mason and John Shiffman
Inquirer Staff Writers
The FBI is investigating whether U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon (R., Pa.) used his influence to help his daughter win consulting contracts, sources say, a development that could influence his close race for reelection. Weldon's campaign denied that an investigation was underway. "Our attorney tells us it is preposterous," said Michael V. Puppio Jr., his campaign manager.
"The allegation in a tight race like this does the damage," Puppio said last night. "You owe a duty to dig a little deeper."
Weldon, who has served 10 terms in Congress, is running neck and neck with retired Navy admiral Joe Sestak.
The investigation, based in Washington, has progressed beyond the preliminary stages, people familiar with the case told The Inquirer yesterday. McClatchy Newspapers broke the story.
FBI spokeswoman Deborah Weierman in Washington declined comment. Weldon's lawyer in Washington, William B. Canfield III, could not be reached at work, at home or by e-mail last night.
Charles Sexton, a political ally of the congressman and a business partner of his daughter, said the timing of the leaks is "awful strange."
"No one has contacted me," he said. "People can look at us all day long. There is no wrongdoing."
Sexton and Karen Weldon, 32, formed a public relations firm, Solutions North America, in 2002, and won $1 million in contracts from two Russian energy firms and a Serbian family with ties to Slobodan Milosevic.
That business dealing was first reported in 2004 by the Los Angeles Times. Sources said the FBI and Justice Department investigation was based on the Times story. The Inquirer reported in 2004 that Weldon had lobbied federal officials on behalf of one of those firms, Itera, a huge and controversial Russian natural gas company.
Weldon also complained to Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser, about Itera's treatment by the federal U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
Itera paid $500,000 to Karen Weldon and Sexton's firm. The contract was signed in Sept. 30, 2002, six days after the congressman helped arrange a dinner at the Library of Congress to honor Itera and Igor Makarov, the firm's chief executive officer.
Itera had a controversial past; Western investors in the former Soviet Union contended that the firm's rapid growth was a result of improper business deals.
Weldon was a student of the Soviet Union, and has frequently traveled to Eastern Europe.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/15757798.htm
I think we all want all the dirty politicians run out of town. If all the dirty politicians were run out of town I truly doubt they could get a quorum in either the House or the Senate. However that isnt the point. The point is how come the FBI waited until 3 weeks before the election to start coming out in the open with these investiogations of republicans.
Bingo