Posted on 07/24/2008 9:50:30 AM PDT by Graybeard58
Looks like Sen. Christopher Dodd needs to re-recast his story about his dealings with Countrywide Financial. In June, portfolio.com revealed he and other bigwigs got discounted loans from Countrywide under the "Friends of Angelo" program, named for and run by CEO Angelo Mozilo. Sen. Dodd initially denied getting the VIP treatment when he and his wife refinanced two mortgages in 2003. But he later changed his lie, admitting Countrywide had extended them VIP loans, not because he was on the Senate Banking Committee, but because they browbeat a flunky loan officer into lowering the rates.
But that lie doesn't jibe with the recollections of the loan officer, Robert Feinberg, according to portfolio.com's latest reporting. As the Friends of Angelo gatekeeper from 2000-04, he dealt exclusively with customers such as the Dodds "whom his superiors had singled out for special treatment." Mr. Feinberg says he approved the Dodds' two mortgage applications in 2003 and two others in 2004, details of which have not been disclosed. Though Mr. Feinberg "says he didn't tell borrowers exactly how many points were waived on their loans, he says he told them that their fees were waived and usually assured them that they were getting special treatment or the Friends of Angelo discount." He said he spoke with Sen. Dodd "once or twice" and frequently e-mailed or talked with the senator's wife, Jackie Clegg. So Sen. Dodd knew full well what was going on.
Countrywide's former managing director, Sidney Lenz, said the company's lobbyists "identified potential customers on Capitol Hill and in federal agencies and directed them to the VIP program," and "were 'incredibly receptive' to loan requests from officials." Portfolio.com did not say whether Countrywide lobbyists got Sen. Dodd and Mr. Feinberg together, but the dots are easily connected. So much for Sen. Dodd's claim he and the missus "shopped around" for the best rates.
The VIP loans saved the Dodds $75,000, and Sen. Dodd, now chairman of the Banking Committee, repaid Countrywide's kindness by writing a bill that when it becomes law soon is expected to save Countrywide's successor $20 billion. The Senate Ethics Committee is investigating whether Sen. Dodd violated rules that bar him from accepting preferential loans, or knowingly accepting gifts — that includes loan terms that are unavailable to the public — from companies such as Countrywide that employ registered lobbyists.
Sen. Dodd can save the committee time and effort by coming clean and admitting the gene of political corruption breeds true.
Won't happen in a million years. This corrupt a-hole, like all other libs, believes laws are for little people, not him.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this list, let me know.
THe US attorney for that district should start investiagting the putz and subpeona the e-mails of Dodd’s wife. This was so blatant and his lies so obvious that if he were a republican, Dems would be demanding a criminal investigation.
Maybe he should file ethics charges against himself like Rangel. It would be good for a laugh anyway.
The laws don’t apply to Democrats.
I found a profile of Jackie Clegg, Dodd’s wife, who is mentioned in the article. Sounds like a smart lady. I notice that she is currently a “consultant” to a number of outfits, but maybe she earned it.
http://www.vicepresidents.com/first-lady-be-series-jackie-marie-clegg-dodd
Read later ...
too depressing to see the DOUBLE STANDARD continue.
He should be hauled before a judge.
Yup, est. April 8, 1913.
That’ll happen when Chuckie Schumer gets charged with inciting the IndyMac run.
Everybody needs to e-mail or call President Bush and ask him to veto this bill. If he does, our congressmen will realize we don’t want this done. This bill will just add to the corruption.
Dodd, will you and the other half of the waitress Sandwich (Teddy K) please drive of a bridge drunk. You are a LOUSY SENATOR - you make Lowell P Weicker look like a statesman!! (and Weicker was FAR from THAT!!)
“senator dodd’s story is full of holes.”
senator dodd is a holy democrat so it makes no difference if his story smacks of being bogus.
democrats will never have to account for anything.
(get used to it. they are the up-and-coming totalitarian power with the blessing of the “people”.)
IMHO
Dodd is very much his father’s son. The old man got censured by the Senate for his “issues”, sooner or later the son will too.
Don’t git my hopes up like dat!!!
Investigating whether he "violated rules" is all well and good. Please tell me why the "investigations" are being done so quietly. Also, during the investigation, remove him from the committee that is negotiating the new bill. Congress has been little more than a kangaroo court since the libs took over. If this was a Republican problem, there would have been immediate "congessional hearings" and a media blitz to cover it.
How do you know he’s a Democrat?!
No party is mentioned in the editorial. Must’ve been an oversight. Yeah, an oversight. That’s it.
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