DOJ ends Holder-era ‘slush fund’ payouts to outside groups

Fox News ^ | June 7,2017

[Hojczyk]

The Justice Department announced Wednesday it will no longer allow prosecutors to strike settlement agreements with big companies directing them to make payouts to outside groups, ending an Obama-era practice that Republicans decried as a “slush fund” that padded the accounts of liberal interest groups.

In a memo sent to 94 U.S. attorneys' offices early Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he would end the practice that allowed companies to meet settlement burdens by giving money to groups that were neither victims nor parties to the case.

Sessions said the money should, instead, go to the Treasury Department or victims.

“When the federal government settles a case against a corporate wrongdoer, any settlement funds should go first to the victims and then to the American people—not to bankroll third-party special interest groups or the political friends of whoever is in power,” Sessions said in a statement.

Conservatives have long fought the policy introduced under the Obama administration. Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that would prohibit the Department of Justice from requiring defendants to donate money to outside groups, after concerns that the settlements bypass congressional appropriations processes.

“This bill is oversight and action. Congress must not tolerate Justice Department political appointees using settlements to funnel money to their liberal friends,” Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who introduced the bill, said in a statement. “This is also an institutional issue. Once direct victims have been compensated, deciding what to do with additional funds recovered from defendants becomes a policy question properly decided by elected representatives in Congress, not agency bureaucrats or prosecutors.”

[Edward.Fish]

Why didn’t the GOP Congress members scream to O’Reilly and Hannity about this rip-off?

Simple: the GOP is not at all about what it says it is about — just look at their actions over the past decade.

1. Where have they pushed for fiscal responsibility? We're $20T in debt
2. Where have they pushed for limited government? There's a story posted today about the TSA wanting to go through reading materials.
3. Where have they pushed for Justice / Rule of Law? I remember quite clearly Comey's guilty but no intent speech.
4. Where have they pushed for government accountability? Just look at the above!
5. Where have they treated the Constitution like it is actually binding law? Just look at the judges and courts allowed to retain their positions.

No, the GOP is not about what it claims it is, nor is it on your side.

[Moonman62]

Conservatives have long fought the policy introduced under the Obama administration. Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers introduced legislation that would prohibit the Department of Justice from requiring defendants to donate money to outside groups, after concerns that the settlements bypass congressional appropriations processes.

...

Winning and draining the swamp.

Why didn’t the media cry foul about what Obama was doing? Instead we hear about Trump getting two scoops of ice cream.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

About freakin time...

[ColdOne]

What about the $100 million given to mooche for schools in that other country? Has that payment already been made to her?

[ridesthemiles]

Holder—Obama—Clinton—Lynch—all give new meaning to the word EXTORTION.

[OrangeHoof]

I want to see conservatives give them a taste of their own medicine before stopping the practice. DOJ fines paid out to the NRA, Operation Rescue, etc. THEN end the practice.

[FreedomPoster]

This is YUGE! #MAGA #WINNING

Long overdue.

[Liz]

Good question. DO THIS ASAP---Demand the Millenial Challenge Corporation boos at the State Dept be opned. Demand a full review of this slush fund that Hilary and Obama used to loot taxpayers.

Call President Trump---- Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414

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

TALKING POINTS The Obamas took govt looting and pillaging to a new level. They already got a coupla buck-raking foundations. And it's already funded big-time....by YOU the taxpayer.

Obama gave Mrs O $100 million tax dollars from the State Dept's Millennium Challenge Corporation (chaired by Hillary) on her recent visit to Morocco, to "teach Muslim girls". AND GET THIS---The 100 million tax dollars to teach Muslim girls are to be held by, and doled out by, the post-presidency tax-exempt Obama Foundation.

LOOK AT THAT SMILE Michele, her daughters and her mother in
Morocco's palace. 100 million dollars to spend after she moves out.

[GnuThere]

That entire family smiles more when they are out of the US - why can’t we all agree to keep it that way?