The Daily Muck

Officials from the Justice Department and the Inspector General’s office informed Congress that although government contractors commit fraud in Iraq, the problem is not nearly as severe as many critics have suggested. But that’s certainly not due to overzealous enforcement: the Justice Department has opted out of at least 10 whistle-blower suits that alleged fraud in Iraq reconstruction. As one critic put it at the hearing: there “isn’t much of an incentive not to steal. At this point, there is nothing more profitable than fraud.” (Associated Press, Boston Globe)

Susan Ralston, former aide to Karl Rove, gave a deposition to the House Oversight Committee last month. Excerpts from her testimony show that Rove never stopped using his RNC email account. Even sadder, Ralston confirmed suspicions that Mr. Rove might indeed be a BlackBerry addict. You can read Ralston’s deposition (she was not asked about her other former boss, Jack Abramoff) here (pdf). (CREW)

Harper’s Ken Silverstein went undercover to explore the nature and transparency of lobbying firms who service corrupt, authoritarian regimes. The whole article is worth a diligent read, and an excerpt can be found here.
(Harper’s Magazine)

Here’s a new easy rule for lawmakers on whether to accept gifts suggested (sub. req.) by the House Ethics Committee: if you aren’t sure its ethical, don’t do it. Thank goodness we have finally cleared that up. (Roll Call)

Scooter Libby has filed an appeal to delay his impending prison sentence. (Washington Post)

Post-traumatic stress disorder: it’s not just for soldiers anymore. According to the vice president of the American Foreign Services Association, forty percent of State Department diplomats who serve in conflict areas are reporting symptoms. (Washington Post)

The SEC has named sixteen public companies that are potentially violating a U.S. ban on doing business with Sudan. Check out the list of firms here. (ABC’s The Blotter)

The ACLU is targeting the immigration officials and the Department of Homeland Security in a recent lawsuit that alleges government agents forcibly drugged aliens who were being deported. (Washington Post)