[Michael Barnes]

Has an “active” congressman ever been pardoned? That is what I think this is about. Bawney get’s out of the way, investigations get explosive by the end of 2012 and Zero pardon’s a party hack on his way out in 2013.

[Cheerio]

Has an “active” congressman ever been pardoned? That is what I think this is about. Bawney get’s out of the way, investigations get explosive by the end of 2012 and Zero pardon’s a party hack on his way out in 2013.

Dan Rostenkowski's political career ended in 1994 after a two year investigation by the Justice Department. In a case led by future U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Rostenkowski was indicted on corruption charges for his role in the House post office scandal. He was forced to step down from all Congressional leadership positions. In elections later that year, Rostenkowski lost his seat and retired from political life. Charges against Rostenkowski included keeping "ghost" employees on his payroll, using Congressional funds to buy gifts such as chairs and ashtrays for friends, and trading in officially purchased stamps for cash at the House post office. While the stamps-for-cash allegation received the most media coverage, those charges were dismissed on the recommendation of the prosecutor. In 1996, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of mail fraud. He was fined and was sentenced to 17 months in prison, of which he served 15 at the federal prison in Oxford, Wisconsin, and the remaining 2 months at a half way house in Chicago. Rostenkowski was pardoned in December 2000 by President Clinton, who said "Rostenkowski had done a lot for his country and had more than paid for his mistakes."