Waters forms legal defense fund to wage fight against ethics charges

The Hill ^ | 9-3-10 | Susan Crabtree

[Justaham]

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) has established a legal defense fund to pay for any expenses associated with her full-throttled battle against ethics charges that she used her position to help a bank in which her husband owned stock.

Waters filed paperwork with the ethics committee to form the fund in late August. Her office did not comment about whether she had already held fundraisers to help fill the fund’s coffers or has events planned.

“I have made clear from the beginning that I have not violated any House rules and therefore will mount a vigorous defense against these baseless charges,” Waters said in a statement. “To enable me to best defend myself, I have established a legal defense fund as permitted by the ethics committee.”

The 10-term House veteran and prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus has launched an unusually pointed and public defense against charges that she violated House rules by setting up a meeting between Treasury officials and OneUnited Bank, where her husband once served on the board and still owns an estimated $175,000 in stock. OneUnited Bank later received millions of dollars in federal bailout money.

Never one to back down from a fight, Waters has rebuffed attempts to reach a settlement, which would require her to apologize and accept a punishment. Instead, she plans to battle the allegations in a public trial to be held sometime this fall. That decision is vexing Democratic leaders, as it ensures that the ethics charges will continue to play out in the media two months before a November midterm election in which Republicans stand to gain dozens of seats and potentially win back a congressional majority.

[BobP]

Maxine Waters - I don't know nuttin' bout no bank, ain't dat right Charlie?

[Fred]

Hey Waters, let me remind you of your famous words that burnt cities down, NO JUSTICE NO PEACE...it is time for justice which means it is time for you to quit.

[Ronin]

And when the time is right, she will loot that, too.

[topher]

I imagine, like Eddie Bernice Johnson, this will someone bilk taxpayers out of money.

She will probably help pass a bill to provide for her defense fund and have Congress pass this since she is a disadvantaged minority who has broken the law...

[Joe Boucher]

Is there any mambers of the congressional black caucus with any ethics?
Or are they all crooks?

[mazda77]

Paybacks are hell. Nobody is concerned about these leeches creating a legal defense fund?

Sarah should find a way to give back to them in the ways they brought her up on more ethics charges for creating her fund.

[ronnie raygun]

Nice to see justice rear it’s glorious head. I am hoping this trend will continue until we prosecute all who are waging war against this nation.

[Liz]

Waters blamed the Bush admin---saying she had to intervene with the Treasury Dept on behalf of minority-owned banks---including one tied to her husband -- b/c Treasury wouldn't schedule appointments for minority-owned banks.

Same old, same old. Whenever a liberal is in deep do-do, they automatically go into their "Victimization Act"......and bashing Bush is so dependable.

========================================

QUESTION Do her working class constituents know Waters used their tax dollars to finance a luxurious lifestyle for OneUnited bank chairman and CEO Kevin Cohee, including a Porsche and a mansion on the exclusive Pacific Coast Highway?

Cohee's high-flying perks came despite his having been charged in 2007 with felonies after his arrest on suspicion of possessing cocaine, crack cocaine and concentrated cannabis, according to the Los LA County DA's office. The case was dismissed the next year after Cohee completed a drug diversion program.

Cohee was also arrested in 2007 after a woman filed a complaint alleging that Cohee had forcibly sodomized her, according to public records. Prosecutors did not pursue the assault charge.

OneUnited Bank Chairman and CEO, Kevin Cohee
JD, Harvard Law School
Board Member, Boston Bank Of Commerce
Formerly with Salomon Bros, Inc.

I hear that, these days, Cohee has the affirmative action office of Harvard Law School on speed-dial.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Hey, they filed ethics charges against Sarah Palin for forming a legal defense fund.

And the media reported as if Sarah was guilty of ethics violations.

[SueRae]

Bring it. I cannot wait to see these two removed from office.

[Gaffer]

What’s the address? I’ve got some GM Bonds I want to donate to her defense....