Pete Stark's bizarre ethics interview

Politico ^

[Sub-Driver]

Pete Stark's bizarre ethics interview By: Jake Sherman March 1, 2010 10:16 AM EST

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) sounds like an ethics investigator’s worst nightmare.

During an interview last summer with the outside Office of Congressional Ethics, Stark was belligerent. He insulted his interviewers. And he apparently was videotaping the interview.

“Throughout the interview Rep. Stark was extremely belligerent and frequently insulted the OCE staff members interviewing him,” Kendric Payne, the investigative counsel, wrote in a memorandum deep in the 122-page report recently released. “Approximately 15 minutes into the interview it also became apparent to the OCE interviewers that Rep. Stark was videotaping the exchange.”

Stark has a history of eccentric statements, including an infamous quote in 2007 on the Iraq war when he accused Republicans of sending soldiers “to get their heads blown off for the president's amusement.” He also called Republicans “chickenhawks” who denied children health care.

Stark was recently cleared for allegedly taking advantage of a tax credit for Maryland residents. He was accused of abusing the Homestead Tax Credit on his Maryland home – a credit that limits tax assessment increases on a primary residence. Stark’s primary residence is in California, but he filled out the application for his home in Maryland.

[Sub-Driver]

Nut job........

[jiggyboy]

He was accused of abusing the Homestead Tax Credit on his Maryland home – a credit that limits tax assessment increases on a primary residence. Stark’s primary residence is in California, but he filled out the application for his home in Maryland.

Apparently an individual's "ethical cloud" has to be a real thunderhead before Nanzi takes notice.

[martin_fierro]

He’s a little fruitcake, a little fruitcake, I said he is a fruitcake.

[blau993]

There are more than a few members of Congress who are guilty of this particular form of tax fraud.

As a Maryland resident I legitimately take the homestead exemption. Depite being called an "exemption," it does not eliminate property taxes, but it does significantly reduce them. The effect of this is quite apparent on your property tax bill. You would have to be a total moron not to know what it was and not to know you were getting it.

[silverleaf]

Crazy old fart lied to save himself ten or 20 thousand bucks or so in property tax on a megamillion waterfront estate

As it is now, I think his home is probably way under assessed- no undue influence there, no sirree

[EyeGuy]

Not just nuts, but arrogant, condescending smegma.

[theDentist]

Needs a punch in the jaw some day.

[silverleaf]

Daschle and Rangel did the same thing in DC, took homestaed exemption for residents to save themselves a couple thousand a year in property tax - while never meeting a tax increase they didnt love - on everyone else

I just wonder how many of them are doing that

[Constitution Day]

How about right now? Shortly to be followed by tarring and feathering.

[Constitution Day]

LOL!!! You’re right, of course.

[Michael.SF.]

You would have to be a total moron not to know

Pete Stark qualifies.

[jiggyboy]

“Approximately 15 minutes into the interview it also became apparent to the OCE interviewers that Rep. Stark was videotaping the exchange.”

Pimp hat and oversized sunglasses?

[1raider1]

Not making fun of his name, but Pete is a nickname. His birth name is Fortney Hillman Stark. If that was my name I’d want to be called Pete too.

[FormerACLUmember]

An arrogant evil man.

[reagan_fanatic]

His birth name is Fortney Hillman Stark

No wonder he's bitter. On the plus side, he probably gets into stage shows free of charge.

[NonValueAdded]

I thought his last name was “raving mad”?

[ken5050]

And why does this interesting, nay, fascinating little tidbit magically appear on today's Politico..you ask??

Well, if/when Pelosi feels compelled to ask Charliue Rangel to give up the chair of the Ways and Means committee because of his ethical problems..Stark is next in line by seniority to succeed him. And obviously, no way that she can let this nut job take the gavel. This is obviosuly a leaked, pre-emptive strike against Stark..and indeed..it may well be the reason why Pelosi has delayed removing Rangel..she has to get the matter of succession resolved first..

[Uncle Hal]

Years ago Stark was president of a small east bay bank in N. CA. He was an aggressive banker and did well. I did business with him and found him bright but a little strange. Then when he got into politics he really became strange and developed this odd ball behavior.

[VOA]

bump

[Liberty Valance]

American Atheists California Director Dave Kong presents the 2002 First Amendment award to Congressman Pete Stark for his commitment to maintaining the separation between religion and government.