And Now It's The Dems Turn To Screw Up... The Culture Of Deception Permeates Congress

Congressman's Special Projects Bring Complaints

Just when we thought it was safe for the Democrats to go in the water, along comes a greedy shark by the name of Alan Mollohan... A democract congress critter that has used his position of power and influence to direct earmark monies to his own "charities" under the guise of funding community projects. The only saving grace is that Mollohan could not have gotten these projects approved without the cooperation or co-opting of Republicans in the process...

Which returns us to the idea of voting our all the incumbents, voting in all freshmen congress critters, and voting for "None of the Above" when it comes to other elected offices...

As lawmakers have increasingly slipped pet projects into federal spending bills over the past decade, one lawmaker has used his powerful perch on the House Appropriations Committee to funnel $250 million into five nonprofit organizations that he set up.

Those actions have prompted a complaint to federal prosecutors that questions whether any of that taxpayer money helped fuel a parallel growth in his personal fortune.

The most ambitious effort by the congressman, Alan B. Mollohan, is a glistening glass-and-steel structure with a swimming pool, sauna and spa rising in a former cow pasture in Fairmont, W.Va., thanks to $103 million of taxpayer money he garnered through special spending allocations known as earmarks.

The headquarters building is likely to sit largely empty upon completion this summer, because the Mollohan-created organization that it was built for, the Institute for Scientific Research, is in disarray, its chief executive having resigned under a cloud of criticism over his $500,000 annual compensation, also paid by earmarked federal money.

The five organizations have diverse missions but form a cozy, cross-pollinated network in the forlorn former coal capitals of north-central West Virginia. Mr. Mollohan has recruited many of their top employees and board members, including longtime friends or former aides, who in turn provide him with steady campaign contributions and positive publicity in their newsletters.

And the Republicans are calling for the ouster of Mollohan from the ethics committee of the House... and so they should!

Republicans Say Mollohan Should Quit Ethics Post

Republican leaders called on Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.) yesterday to step down from his ranking post on the House ethics committee because of allegations that he provided legislative earmarks benefiting companies and individuals who helped make him a millionaire.

Mollohan called the charges "spurious" and said both the accusations and the calls for him to step down are politically motivated.

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that federal prosecutors have opened an investigation of Mollohan's personal financial disclosures. The article also raised questions about earmarks -- or special provisions included in federal spending bills -- that he has steered to nonprofits in West Virginia in the past five years. Mollohan, a member of both the ethics and appropriations committees, has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He acknowledged in an interview making real estate investments with the head of a nonprofit company that received federal money from earmarks Mollohan backed. But, he contended, he is fully "at risk" in the investments and received no special favors in either financing or locating the investments.

Republican House leaders, determined to deflect Democratic charges that the GOP has fostered a "culture of corruption," immediately called for action against Mollohan.