JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has found U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska violated House rules by using campaign funds for personal trips and accepting improper gifts.
The committee called on the Republican to repay the value of the trips and gifts, totaling about $59,000, to his campaign and the donors. It also issued a letter of rebuke.
Last year, the committee announced it was forming a special panel to investigate whether Young had failed to report gifts on disclosure forms, misused campaign funds and lied to federal officials. The committee, in a report released Friday, said it saw no basis for finding Young provided false statements to federal officials.
Young said he made the recommended payments and since 2007 has strengthened office polices to avoid a repeat of “these oversights.”
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Don Young has been an absolute crook since Day 1 in the US Congress.
Must be nice to get caught stealing and receive a “letter of rebuke” as punishment.
Admittedly I don’t know the details of this case, but I can’t help but wonder how this is possible. When asked if he accepted improper gifts and made personal use of campaign funds, did Young say, “You bet your ass I did!”
If I took my 9mm Glock, walked into an Alaska bank, made off with $59,000, and was later apprehended by the police, would I get off with a Letter of Rebuke and calls for me to give the money back? Okay, so I don’t own a gun, and have never been to Alaska–work with me here. Would the authorities be somewhat less understanding in my case? Okay, so I used a gun, but I WAS just excisin’ ma’ 2nd 'menmat rights; I felt threatened by that bank!
Isn’t this the same crime for which Jesse Jackson Jr went to jail?