TPMMuckraker | Talking Points Memo | Weldon Took Trip Paid For By Russian, Serbian Moguls

Weldon Took Trip Paid For By Russian, Serbian Moguls

By Andrew Tilghman - July 18, 2008, 5:39PM

Wouldn't it be great if we could all take long, leisurely European vacations with our whole extended family -- and have the $23,000 tab paid for by Russian and Eastern European business moguls?

Unfortunately, it seems that former Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) is among the only ones who actually gets to do that.

Ken Silverstein over at Harper's digs into the details of Weldon's January 2007 trip with ten family members (including his son's girlfriend and his daughter's boyfriend). They stopped in Moscow and Vienna (not cheap cities).

We're not sure the trip has anything to do with Weldon's new arms trafficking business. But there's a couple of interesting things to point out.

First, Weldon asked the notoriously lax House ethics committee for formal permission to take the trip before he went. He offered the lame explanation that the Russians and Serbs were paying for his trip because he was a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and it had nothing to do with his House seat.

But when he got the sense the committee wasn't buying that argument, he "withdrew" his request for a waiver on the gift rules.

In other words: Weldon apparently didn't get the answer he wanted, so he simply ignored the committee's advice and ethics rules and went anyway, with the tab being picked up by outside sponsors.

And here's another key aspect of the trip: the Serbian family who paid for part of it was the Karic Group, run by the Karic family, which is barred from entering the U.S. due to its close ties with the warmongering Milosevic regime.

That's the same Serbian group who just a few months later hired Weldon's inexperienced 29-year-old daughter to lobby for then to the tune of $240,000 a year.

The Weldon family sure is living the American dream.

19 Comments

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Hmmm . . . A picture of Weldon without a tin-foil hat . . . I'm so confused.

Posted by Richard L. Adlof
July 18, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink

Holy shit, Batman, this RepoMan really is a putridly stinky slimeball.

Good raking, Andrew!

Posted by jzap
July 18, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink

BTW, re Milosivec & Co: Any update on the status of the Ratko Mladić stand-off? Is he still on the loose?

Posted by jzap in reply to a comment from jzap
July 18, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink

The Karics are an interesting story. They are believed the be war criminals and are not allowed in the US. Weldon repeatedly tried (and failed) to get them visas to the USA - but to no avail. The baddest guys can go only as far as London - but some of the other family members live in Canada.

Anyhoo, the Karics tried to open a US foundation - and Karen Weldon was paid to oversee it. The extent of the Karic Foundation was their purchase of a DC row house at 0002 6th Street, NE - six blocks away from the US Capitol. The house is zoned residential, so it woud not have been appropriate to operate a business from there.

The house was fully furnished, but once the story broke quickly went up for sale in 2006. It was on the market for about one and a half year with no takers. Then a very influential lobbyist, Ron Kaufman of Dutko bought the house and flipped it. Here's the listing:
http://teamregencyhomes.com/viewhome.asp?NoSummary=Y&HOMEID=DC6686841

To date, no explanation has been offered of who was living in that house before it went up for sale. I wonder if Kaufman is somehow connected to Weldon or the Karics.

Posted by Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink

C92,

The Karic Foundation USA Inc. 2003,2004 and 2005 990s (see the 990 Finder) did not record the townhouse on its books nor did it have that kind of money in the bank.

Interesting that an image of the deed transferred to Kaufman is not available online.

Karen Weldon signed the Foundation's 990s as either director or treasurer. Her sister, Kimberly, was listed as a director in 2003.

Weldon's firm, Solutions North America, filed a lien on the townhouse in 8/05 but the case was settled.

The only Foundation employee listed in the 990s is Gordana Pavlovic who appears to the wife of Serbian journalist, Slobodan Pavlovic.

A different entity, the Karic Foundation, was registered in DC in 1996 but I could find no records for it.

I don't know why but this registration was deleted from the Senate lobbying database:

DEWEY & LEBOEUF LLP BOGOLJUB KARIC & THE KARIC COS 22405-124

Posted by Mrs Panstreppon
July 19, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink

Dutko Worldwide lobbyist Ronald Kaufman's purchase of that house only has three records in the DC system - the deed transfer and two trusts. The trusts are being handled by the Kass, Mitek & Kass PLLC law firm in DC. Somehow KMK has apparently fronted Kauffman the $1,050,000 for the purchase of that house in August 2007.

Kauffman has not succesffully "flipped" the house yet - it's currently for sale, post renovation, for $1,399,000. Not a good time to be a seller in the market. I'm wondering why Kaufman was so bullish on that property when it had been idle for so long and the real estate market was going into the tank? The place looked a lot different prior to renovations.

Posted by Citoyen92 in reply to a comment from Mrs Panstreppon
July 19, 2008 5:22 PM | Reply | Permalink

General Information

Document #: 2007107143 Book Type: LAND
Filing Date: 8/15/2007 Filing Time: 9:37 AM
Instrument Type: DEED Consideration Amt: $1,050,000.00
Roll: Frame:
Comment:
# of Pages: 3

Grantor Grantee

KARIC FOUNDATION A DISTRICT
KAUFMAN, RONALD

Legal Description(s)

Land Record:

Square Lot
0840
0001
0800

Posted by Citoyen92 in reply to a comment from Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink

Ron is married to Alison P Kaufman. Alison is a Vice President with UTC - United Technologies, a huge defense contractor.

Ron himself is a GOP power broker. From his bio at Dutko Worldwide:

Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.
After working as a National Political Operative for the 1980 Bush for President campaign, Ron went on to serve President Reagan as Regional then National Political Director of the Republican National Committee and was appointed the National Campaign Director for Vice President Bush’s 1984 reelection campaign.

Following the 1984 electoral landslide, Ron helped George H.W. Bush lay the political foundation for his successful 1988 presidential run, by founding the Vice President’s PAC and running the primary campaign in New Hampshire. After the victory on election day, Ron was asked by President Bush to serve as a top advisor in the White House, initially as White House Personnel Director and then as Assistant to the President and the White House Political Director.

Since joining the Dutko team in 1994, Ron has helped lead the firm’s federal practice while also launching the firm’s innovative state and local government affairs practice, Kaufman*Nelson*Pattee (KNP), now Dutko State and Local. Under his leadership, Dutko became the only firm in Washington capable of offering clients a 50 state public affairs strategy – especially important at a time when decision-making was moving from the federal government to the states. Currently, Ron is actively involved in establishing Dutko’s overseas operations: Dutko Global Advisors.

In addition to his duties at Dutko Worldwide, Ron is the Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, serves as Chair of the RNC Budget committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Executive Committee, and Convention Site Selection Committee. He is also active with the Republican Governor’s Association, where he is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. Ron continues to serve as an advisor to former President Bush.

Ron has two daughters and maintains homes in Boston and Washington.

Posted by Citoyen92 in reply to a comment from Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink

Ron is affiliated with the Republican Governors Association... The media was recently carrying stories about how a "loophole" had been found for RGA fundraising - and how RGA dollars were going to be used to bolster John McCain's campaign.

Sounds like Ron's got a front seat as a member of the Finance Committee...?

Posted by Citoyen92 in reply to a comment from Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink

You are right, C92. The odds of the Karic Foundation selling the townhouse as an arms-length transaction to Ron Kaufman are slim to none.

I suspect that Kass Mitek Kass represented the Karic Foundation and the Foundation arranged a mortgage for Kaufman. But who is managing the Foundation and where did the funds for the renovation come from? We know the renovativn was done sometime after 12/06.

The Karic Foundation paid $885k in 2003 for the property. Is $1.05 million in 2007 a fair price?

Posted by Mrs Panstreppon in reply to a comment from Citoyen92
July 20, 2008 1:06 AM | Reply | Permalink

Besides being Andy Card's sister, Alison Kaufman was chief of staff at the Commerce Dept before joining UTC. She also was CT governor, John Rowland's chief of staff. During his term, the state treasurer took bribes from the Carlyle Group and Rowland made a bundle trading a penny stock sponsored by SAIC.

Coincidentally, Ron Kaufman gets the Karic townhouse as he is expanding his horizons overseas.

You think he will ever pay the mortgage?

Posted by Mrs Panstreppon in reply to a comment from Citoyen92
July 21, 2008 12:03 AM | Reply | Permalink

C92,

Some internet trivia - I found the original online e-booklet put out by the Freedoms Foundation in 2003 for the Itera-sponsored "Democracy in Action" scholarship program.

The cover has the FF and Itera logos and inside is a welcoming message from Igor Makarov, Itera chairman.

You may remember that Karen Weldon was the director of the FF Itera Eagles program.I bet Weldon awarded the scholarships to children connected to Congress and the Dumas.

Posted by Mrs Panstreppon
July 19, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink

As an aside, I am looking for info re New Star Technologies. The Aforeresearch Inc site lists Curt Weldon as New Star's strategic advisor.

To date:

Senior advisor to Aforesearch Inc.
CEO – Jenkins Hill International
Chairman – Kronos Fund
Vice Chairman – Dynamic Defense Materials Corporation
Chief Strategic Officer – Defense Solutions
Strategic Officer – New Star Technologies

Anyone know anything about New Star Technologies?

Posted by Mrs Panstreppon
July 19, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink

Ron is married to Alison P Kaufman. Alison is a Vice President with UTC - United Technologies, a huge defense contractor.

Ron himself is a GOP power broker. From his bio at Dutko Worldwide:

Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.
After working as a National Political Operative for the 1980 Bush for President campaign, Ron went on to serve President Reagan as Regional then National Political Director of the Republican National Committee and was appointed the National Campaign Director for Vice President Bush’s 1984 reelection campaign.

Following the 1984 electoral landslide, Ron helped George H.W. Bush lay the political foundation for his successful 1988 presidential run, by founding the Vice President’s PAC and running the primary campaign in New Hampshire. After the victory on election day, Ron was asked by President Bush to serve as a top advisor in the White House, initially as White House Personnel Director and then as Assistant to the President and the White House Political Director.

Since joining the Dutko team in 1994, Ron has helped lead the firm’s federal practice while also launching the firm’s innovative state and local government affairs practice, Kaufman*Nelson*Pattee (KNP), now Dutko State and Local. Under his leadership, Dutko became the only firm in Washington capable of offering clients a 50 state public affairs strategy – especially important at a time when decision-making was moving from the federal government to the states. Currently, Ron is actively involved in establishing Dutko’s overseas operations: Dutko Global Advisors.

In addition to his duties at Dutko Worldwide, Ron is the Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, serves as Chair of the RNC Budget committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Executive Committee, and Convention Site Selection Committee. He is also active with the Republican Governor’s Association, where he is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. Ron continues to serve as an advisor to former President Bush.

Posted by Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink

Ron is married to Alison P Kaufman. Alison is a Vice President with UTC - United Technologies, a huge defense contractor.

Ron himself is a GOP power broker. From his bio at Dutko Worldwide:

Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.
After working as a National Political Operative for the 1980 Bush for President campaign, Ron went on to serve President Reagan as Regional then National Political Director of the Republican National Committee and was appointed the National Campaign Director for Vice President Bush’s 1984 reelection campaign.

Following the 1984 electoral landslide, Ron helped George H.W. Bush lay the political foundation for his successful 1988 presidential run, by founding the Vice President’s PAC and running the primary campaign in New Hampshire. After the victory on election day, Ron was asked by President Bush to serve as a top advisor in the White House, initially as White House Personnel Director and then as Assistant to the President and the White House Political Director.

Since joining the Dutko team in 1994, Ron has helped lead the firm’s federal practice while also launching the firm’s innovative state and local government affairs practice, Kaufman*Nelson*Pattee (KNP), now Dutko State and Local. Under his leadership, Dutko became the only firm in Washington capable of offering clients a 50 state public affairs strategy – especially important at a time when decision-making was moving from the federal government to the states. Currently, Ron is actively involved in establishing Dutko’s overseas operations: Dutko Global Advisors.

In addition to his duties at Dutko Worldwide, Ron is the Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, serves as Chair of the RNC Budget committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Executive Committee, and Convention Site Selection Committee. He is also active with the Republican Governor’s Association, where he is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. Ron continues to serve as an advisor to former President Bush.

Posted by Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink

Ron is married to Alison P Kaufman. Alison is a Vice President with UTC - United Technologies, a huge defense contractor.

Ron himself is a GOP power broker. From his bio at Dutko Worldwide:

Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.
After working as a National Political Operative for the 1980 Bush for President campaign, Ron went on to serve President Reagan as Regional then National Political Director of the Republican National Committee and was appointed the National Campaign Director for Vice President Bush’s 1984 reelection campaign.

Following the 1984 electoral landslide, Ron helped George H.W. Bush lay the political foundation for his successful 1988 presidential run, by founding the Vice President’s PAC and running the primary campaign in New Hampshire. After the victory on election day, Ron was asked by President Bush to serve as a top advisor in the White House, initially as White House Personnel Director and then as Assistant to the President and the White House Political Director.

Since joining the Dutko team in 1994, Ron has helped lead the firm’s federal practice while also launching the firm’s innovative state and local government affairs practice, Kaufman*Nelson*Pattee (KNP), now Dutko State and Local.

In addition to his duties at Dutko Worldwide, Ron is the Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, serves as Chair of the RNC Budget committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Executive Committee, and Convention Site Selection Committee. He is also active with the Republican Governor’s Association, where he is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. Ron continues to serve as an advisor to former President Bush.

Posted by Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink

Ron is married to Alison P Kaufman. Alison is a Vice President with UTC - United Technologies, a huge defense contractor.

Ron himself is a GOP power broker. From his bio at Dutko Worldwide:

Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.
In addition to his duties at Dutko Worldwide, Ron is the Republican National Committeeman for Massachusetts, serves as Chair of the RNC Budget committee, and as a member of the Rules Committee, Executive Committee, and Convention Site Selection Committee. He is also active with the Republican Governor’s Association, where he is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee. Ron continues to serve as an advisor to former President Bush.

Posted by Citoyen92
July 19, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink

Weldon is doing business with people barred from entering the U.S. due to their close ties with war criminals? This is a job for the NSA using the new FISA law. As Rumsfeld said on 9/12 in another context, sweep it all up. Go over every email these people have sent and record every phone conversation they have. The net they throw ought to include GHW Bush and anyone he might have a mind to talk to. If the FBI is smart they'll indict Weldon before November so they can show the new president just how effective these tools are against bad guys.

Posted by markg8
July 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink

The Karics are connected to war criminals Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, the so-called "Bosnian Serb" leaders. Both Mladic and Karadzic are responsible for some horrible atocities and killings during the war.

The US refuses to let them in.

Weldon is in bed with some bad guys. He's also working closely with General Quadaffi of Libya. Until recently, Libya was part of the axis of evil.

Posted by Citoyen92 in reply to a comment from markg8
July 20, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink