Sunday, April 09, 2006

The Undertaker Keeps Tony Rudy's Money.

Former Tom Delay aide, Tony Rudy, pleaded guilty conspiracy. Rudy took personal payments from Jack Abramoff while he was a Hill staffer. Inexchange, Rudy helped stop an internet gambling bill that Abramoff was lobbying against. Rudy was well-rewarded for his services.


In exchange, Rudy was lavished with free trips, sporting tickets, meals and golf games and $86,000 to a consulting firm he set up and was run by his wife - all courtesy of Abramoff. Rudy, 39, joined Abramoff's lobbying firm after working for DeLay.


Members of Congress have been returning Rudy's lobbying money. There are exceptions.


Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) will also be holding on to the $1,500 in contributions she received from Rudy, spokesman Charlie Keller said.

“They were legally raised, legally reported and legally spent during previous campaigns. There is nothing to give back,” Keller said in an e-mail.


The Undertaker also doesn't want to provide a full list of the earmarks she placed in legislation. Lobbyist often push members of Congress for earmarks. The issue has been so touchy that Waite has pledged not to accept earmarks.


When these reforms come before the House, I will pledge not to accept any earmarks in spending bills “that directs federal dollars to private entities for projects that are not tied to an existing federal program or purpose.” Congressman John Boehner of Ohio has proposed this commonsense measure as a way to guarantee that if Members request funds for their districts that they are for truly worthy causes and appropriate for the U.S. Congress to authorize.


Boehner has his own problems with lobbyists. Waite informs us of her relationship with the K Street gang.


Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) compares politics to prostitution: “I have to go up to total strangers, ask them for money and get them to expect me to be there when they need me. What does that sound like to you?”…

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