The Daily MuckClose ties between American International Group and D.C. politicians may have been a factor in the company’s bailout reports The Washington Post. Since 1998, AIG has spent more than $72 million on lobbying and contributed more than $25 million to campaigns. The insurance company received $85 billion from the federal government last month. Federal intervention to save AIG, but not other firms like Lehman Brothers, has raised some eyebrows. (Washington Post)
The FBI has forbidden two counterterrorism agents from participating in a PBS documentary that planned to examine allegations that the CIA pressured the FBI to hide information during the 2004 Justice Department’s investigation of the FBI’s handling of 9/11 information gathering. The documentary, which will discuss intelligence agency rivalries in the pre-9/11 period, is scheduled to air in January. (CQ)
More than 15,000 pages of documents related to the scientist suspected of masterminding 2001 anthrax attacks are still secret, held by the FBI because the investigation is ongoing. In August, federal prosecutors began their case against Bruce Ivins, who had worked at a U.S. Army biological research center. The case has faced criticism for failing to present conclusive evidence. (McClatchy)
One of the allegations against Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation that has sparked calls for his resignation, was cleared yesterday, when it was found that the vacation had been pre-approved by the House Ethics Committee. The trip in question, to a Sandals club in Antigua, was paid for by a New York-based Carribean newspaper. Congressional vacations have come under closer scrutiny since the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal. (The Hill)
A lawyer for Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) brother, Mose Jefferson, has been barred by a federal judge for conflict of interest. Mose cannot be defended by lawyer Ike Spears because Spears had previously counseled Jefferson’s sister Brenda Foster who is a possible witness and an unindicted co-conspirator in the case. Mose is charged with bribing a former school board president in return for school contracts. William Jefferson faces trial for unrelated corruption charges. (AP)
Business ties between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) political action committee and her husband’s real estate and investment company have come under fire for representing nepotistic practices that some say should be banned. Since 1999, “PAC to the Future” has paid $99,000 to the firm, Financial Leasing Services Inc, with payments increasing since Pelosi’s husband took over as PAC treasurer. The deals are legal and have been disclosed on federal forms. (Washington Times)
