Pelosi Appoints Jefferson to Homeland Security Panel
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who stripped embattled Rep. William Jefferson of his seat on a powerful tax committee last year, has decided to put him on the Homeland Security panel, infuriating some Republicans who charge he may be a security risk. Jefferson, a Louisiana Democrat, was kicked off the Ways and Means Committee amid a federal bribery probe, yet still won re-election to a ninth term.” (Associated Press)
Indicted Contractor Gave Job to Nephew
“When indicted Poway defense contractor Brent Wilkes landed a contract to ship supplies to CIA agents in Iraq, he tapped his nephew and lobbyist Joel Combs to handle the job, according to people close to Wilkes and within the CIA.” (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Watchdog Files Complaints Againts Politicians’ Campaign Committees
The ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed a complaint against Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), alleging that all three members of Congress failed to divulge the identity of some of their campaign contributers in time before the election. (CREW)
Libby Trial Lawyers Aiming for Victory
Having emerged as the “leading adversaries” in the trial of former White House official Scooter Libby, defense lawyer Theodore Wells and special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald each have a significant stake in the outcome of the case. (NYT)
Dems’ Critics Say Fundraising Pressure Will Empower Lobbyists
“Watchdogs worry that increased fundraising pressures on Democratic lawmakers could make them more beholden to lobbyists and other special interests. Charged with protecting and expanding the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, the lawmakers’ umbrella campaign organization is mulling a boost in dues paid by its members of roughly $50,000, a spokeswoman confirmed to ABC News Friday.” (ABC’s The Blotter)
U.S. Military Criticized for False Call Sign
“The American military has been operating flights across Europe using a call sign assigned to a civilian airline that they have no legal right to use. Not only is the call sign bogus â according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) â so, it appears, are some of the aircraft details the Americans have filed with the air traffic control authorities.” (Financial Times)
Oil Companies Set to Benefit From Iraqi Oil Law
A controversial law set to be reviewed by the Iraqi parliament would reap huge benefits for Western oil companies, allowing the outside oil corporations to extract Iraqi crude oil for the first time since 1972. While supporters of the legislation say that the projects would be neccessary to recover Iraq’s oil-based economy, critics allege that the plan verifies suspicions of the war being fought to further economic interests. (The Independent)
Doolittle Alleges Friend’s Innocence
“Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville, said Friday that he believes in the innocence of a close friend and political supporter indicted this week on charges related to the bribery of former San Diego-area Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham. Brent Wilkes, a Poway defense contractor whose business Doolittle had helped land a $37 million contract, was indicted on corruption charges, including paying bribes and providing prostitutes for Cunningham, who’s now in prison.” (The Sacramento Bee)
Interior Department Plagued With Problems, Officials Testify
“The Interior Department has ‘a culture replete with a lack of accountability’ and at least a half-dozen major management problems that have festered for years, federal officials testified Friday. The department faces ‘enormous challenges in several areas,’ Inspector General Earl Devaney said at an oversight hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee.” (Billings Gazette)
Padilla Jailers to Testify in Federal Court
“U.S. military prison doctors and staff must testify in court about the treatment of suspected al Qaeda operative Jose Padilla while he was held by presidential order as an ‘enemy combatant,’ a judge ruled on Friday.” (Reuters)
Alleged Election Manipulation in Texas
“In two Houston-area elections last year, school officials are accused of blatantly trying to manipulate polling locations to get the outcome they wanted.” (Associated Press)
California Rep. Denies Malfeasance in Land Sales
“A Southern California congressman (Rep. Gary Miller (R-CA)) accused of improperly avoiding taxes on a series of land deals in Fontana and elsewhere said he has done nothing wrong and described the allegations as an attempt by Democrats and the media to sully his name.” (Southern California Press-Enterprise)
Italian Judge Indicts 26 American Officials
An Italian judge indicted 25 American CIA Officials, a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and five Italian spies in Italy on Friday on charges of kidnapping a radical Muslim cleric. While none of the American officials are expected to appear in court, the trial, beginning June 8, will challenge the legality of the CIA’s longstanding practice of “extraordinary rendition”, which involves kidnapping terrorism suspects and transporting them to other countries for interrogation. (The Washington Post)
Indicted Fundraiser Renovated Ilinois Gov.’s House
Records reveal that Ilinois Governer Milorad Blagojevich hired Antoin Rezko, a political fundraiser and real estate developer now under under indictment, for a large-scale home renovation in 2003. “The project took place during a 16-month period in which Patti Blagojevich, a real estate broker, netted about $86,000 from Rezko-orchestrated real estate deals.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
GSA Defending Chief
“The U.S. General Services Administration has responded to a congressional inquiry by saying its chief, Lurita Alexis Doan, did nothing improper last summer when she tried to arrange for a study by a company run by a woman with whom she had a “close professional relationship.” (The Washington Post)
