Jake Knotts

SC County GOP Calls On Knotts To Resign Over 'Raghead' Comment

Eric Lach | June 11, 2010, 1:55PM

SC state Sen. Jake Knotts (R)

The Lexington County Republican Party has called on state Sen. Jake Knotts (R) to resign over his comments about Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley, according to Politico.

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Financial Reform

Report: 56 Financial Lobbyists Once Worked For Lawmakers Now Negotiating Financial Reform

Eric Lach | June 11, 2010, 1:10PM

United States Capitol

Dozens of financial industry lobbyists have ties to lawmakers serving on the conference committee negotiating financial reform legislation, according to data reported by Public Citizen and the Center for Responsive Politics. Among them are seven former chiefs of staff and a total of 16 former employees of Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL).

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South Carolina

Clyburn's Dem Challenger Denies He's A 'Plant' -- But Hired GOP Rep.'s Aide

Christina Bellantoni and Justin Elliott | June 11, 2010, 12:43PM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and SC congressional candidate Gregory Brown (D)

A Democratic primary challenger in South Carolina who has been accused of being a "plant" hired for his Congressional campaign a GOP consultant who as recently as late last year was the campaign manager for Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), according to campaign finance reports.

Businessman Gregory Brown says he challenged Rep. James Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American in Congress, in the Democratic primary on Tuesday because he's worried about the state's poverty rates and failing schools. Clyburn (D-SC) charged this week that Brown is such a political novice that he must be a "plant."

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Rod Blagojevich

First Tapes Heard In Blago Trial

Rachel Slajda | June 11, 2010, 12:06PM

Former IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich

The first tapes made from wiretaps on the phones of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his associates were played yesterday in Blago's corruption trial in Chicago federal court.

The tapes paint the former governor as desperate for campaign funds.

In one tape, Blagojevich can be heard telling his brother, Rob, to hit up everyone he can for donations, hoping to reach a $4 million campaign goal.

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TransOcean LTD.

Transocean Stonewalls Congress On 'I'm Not Hurt' Forms Signed By Rig Workers

Justin Elliott | June 11, 2010, 8:49AM

The Deepwater Horizon oil rig sinks; the Transocean form presented to survivors (inset)

A Democratic congressman is demanding more information from drilling giant Transocean about the forms signed by Deepwater Horizon rig workers stating they were not hurt and were not witnesses of the explosion that brought down the rig April 20.

Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA) has fired off a letter to Transocean calling its response to his earlier request for information on the forms insufficient.

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California

Rocket Found Pointed At CA Police Dept. That Was Target Of White Supremacists

Justin Elliott | June 10, 2010, 6:07PM

A screen shot from the Hemet Police website

Something is rotten in Hemet, California.

In May TPMmuckraker highlighted the alarming string of booby traps targeting the Southern California city's police department. Local white supremacists were thought to be behind the traps.

Now, the Southwest Riverside News Network reports, a nine-pound vintage military rocket round was found on the roof of a a downtown Hemet building -- and it was apparently pointed at the nearby police headquarters. Officers found the inert round when responding to a fire -- the cause of which is not known:

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Alvin Greene

DSCC Chair Won't Discuss Greene Mystery, Says It's State Party Matter

Christina Bellantoni | June 10, 2010, 5:31PM

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)

The chairman of the Senate Democrats' campaign arm would say little about allegations surrounding Alvin Greene's mysterious Senate candidacy in South Carolina, telling reporters today it is a matter for the state party to handle.

Asked by TPM about Greene and the South Carolina Democrats' call for him to step aside at a briefing today, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) put both hands out in protest. He dodged several questions about charges from Rep. James Clyburn and the state party that Greene may not be a legitimate candidate, saying the "appropriate officials" are looking into it. He wouldn't answer a TPM question about whether he supports the state party, which is calling for Greene to step aside despite winning the primary Tuesday night.

The bottom line is that Democrats recognize it's not going to be a competitive race to challenge Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), regardless of the candidate chosen as his rival. Menendez said the party is "not engaged there" and that it is "not a place that I am focused on."

"I will allow the South Carolina Democratic Party and Congressman Clyburn, who I serve with and I know can be tenacious, to continue to pursue it and we will look at," Menendez said.

Arizona

GOP Candidate for AZ-GOV Wants 'Tent Cities' For Illegal Immigrants Convicted of Other Crimes

Jillian Rayfield | June 10, 2010, 3:57PM

AZ State Treasurer Dean Martin and AZ Sheriff Joe Arpaio

Dean Martin, Arizona state treasurer and Republican candidate for governor, is pushing a plan that would create "tent cities" to house illegal immigrants convicted of other crimes, modeled after notorious anti-immigration Sheriff Joe Arpaio's set-up in his own Maricopa County.

In an interview with TPM, Martin described how the state could use the tent cities to provide "inexpensive temporary housing" that would save them enough money to deploy more troops down to the border.

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Alvin Greene

SC Dem State Rep: I Do Not Believe Greene Is A Plant (VIDEO)

Justin Elliott | June 10, 2010, 3:34PM

SC-SEN candidate Alvin Greene (D)

After privately meeting with mystery Senate candidate Alvin Greene at a Columbia television station this afternoon, South Carolina State Rep. Bakari Sellers came away believing that Greene is sincere but perhaps misguided in his much-scrutinized bid for Senate.

"I don't believe he's a plant," Sellers told TPMmuckraker in an interview after his meeting with Greene. "I think he just kind of doesn't know what he's getting into."

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Alvin Greene

Clyburn Alleges Conspiracy To Plant Candidates In Three Dem Primaries In S.C.

Christina Bellantoni | June 10, 2010, 1:06PM

Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn has called for a U.S. Attorney investigation into the mysterious candidacy of Democratic Senate nominee Alvin Greene because he thinks the mischief goes far beyond one wacky race. Clyburn (D-SC), Congress' highest ranking African American, told TPM in an interview today he believes at least two other Democratic candidates on Tuesday's primary ballot were planted by people with deep pockets and nefarious motives.

"The party's choice in the 1st Congressional district lost. The party's choice for U.S. Senate lost. Sounds like a pattern to me," Clyburn told TPM. He said Greene was one of three Democratic candidates in three separate races whom the state party didn't back or even recognize. All three candidates are African American.

One is Gregory Brown, who ran unsuccessfully against Clyburn in the 6th Congressional district. Another is Ben Frasier, who prevailed against state party-favored candidate Robert Burton in the 1st district. Greene, Brown and Frasier have something else in common -- they haven't filed any campaign finance reports with the Federal Elections Commission.

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South Carolina

Greene's Filing Fee Check Featured Hand-Scrawled 'Alvin M. Greene For Senate' (PICTURE)

Justin Elliott | June 10, 2010, 11:33AM

SC-SEN candidate Alvin Greene (D)

In March, unemployed veteran Alvin Greene showed up at the Democratic party headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina, to register as a candidate for U.S. Senate. To pay the filing fee, he was bearing a personal check for $10,440 -- which he has insisted all along was his own money. But party Chairwoman Carol Fowler turned him away, saying he needed a campaign check.

TPMmuckraker has obtained from the party the "campaign" check that Greene, the man now being called a "plant" by Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), returned with several hours later. It is distinguished as a campaign check by the words "Alvin M. Greene for Senate" scribbled in pen in the upper left hand corner.

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Rod Blagojevich

Blago 2008: What Could Have Been

Rachel Slajda | June 10, 2010, 10:13AM

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL)

Oh, what could have been.

During former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial yesterday, his former chief of staff testified that in 2003, Blago's closest advisers had their eyes set on higher office for Blago -- the highest office, in fact -- thinking a presidential run for the gov might be possible in 2008.

The former COS, Lon Monk, said that two members of Blago's inner circle, Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly, wanted to make sure the new governor wasn't worried about his finances.

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South Carolina

Charge: Greene Showed Porn To Student In University Computer Lab

Justin Elliott | June 10, 2010, 10:01AM

SC-SEN Democratic Nominee Alvin Greene

Yesterday we flagged the report that Alvin Greene, the mystery candidate for Senate in South Carolina who won the Democratic nomination Tuesday, was arrested on a felony obscenity charge back in November.

Now the AP has provided some new details on the episode at University of South Carolina that led to the charges of "disseminating, procuring or promoting obscenity":

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South Carolina

Alvin Greene Did Not File Forms With FEC

Justin Elliott | June 10, 2010, 8:55AM

SC-SEN candidate Alvin Greene (D)

One of the enduring mysteries of the Alvin Greene Senate candidacy down in South Carolina is that Greene, an unemployed veteran who registered his candidacy with the Democratic party in March, never filed any paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

But sometime in the last three or four days, Greene's name did show up on the FEC database -- but not because he had filed a statement of organization for a campaign committee, as federal candidates typically do. (Greene apparently raised no money for his successful primary bid.)

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Scott Rothstein

Scott Rothstein Sentenced To 50 Years In Prison For Ponzi Scheme

Eric Lach | June 9, 2010, 4:41PM

Scott Rothstein

Scott Rothstein, the ex-lawyer charged with operating a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme in Florida, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison, the Associated Press reports.

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Alvin Greene

SC Dem Senate Candidate Recently Charged With Showing Obscene Web Photos To Student

Justin Elliott | June 9, 2010, 2:19PM

SC-SEN candidate Alvin Greene (D)

Still more bad news for Dems in South Carolina: it turns out that Alvin Greene, the no-name candidate who somehow sailed to victory Tuesday to challenge Republican Sen. Jim DeMint in the fall, was charged late last year with showing obscene pictures to a college student, the AP reports.

Greene, an unemployed veteran and political newcomer, posted bond after his arrest in November; the charges are pending.

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Birthers

Birther Army Doc Waives Hearing, Court Martial Likely To Move Ahead

Justin Elliott | June 9, 2010, 12:31PM

Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin

The group backing Birther Army Doctor Terrence Lakin as he makes his way through the military justice system announced today that Lakin is waiving a preliminary hearing that was set for Friday.

Lt. Col. Lakin refused orders on the grounds that Barack Obama is not eligible to be president. It is now up to Maj. Gen. Karl Horst, Military District of Washington Commander, to decide if the case will go to trial, said Chuck Dasey, spokesman at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where Lakin is assigned.

The American Patriot Foundation said in a press release:

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South Carolina

Haley Home Free In South Carolina Governor's Race?

Justin Elliott | June 9, 2010, 10:56AM

Nikki Haley, Republican candidate for governor in South Carolina

After weathering two frantic weeks of claims of infidelity, polygraph stunts, and outright racism, South Carolina Republican Nikki Haley won big in the GOP gubernatorial primary Tuesday -- though not quite big enough to avoid a runoff in two weeks with Rep. Gresham Barrett.

Haley got 48.8 percent to Barrett's 21.8 percent; she needed to top 50 percent to avoid a runoff June 22.

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Birthers

Orly Taitz Loses CA Secretary Of State Bid But Gets 368,000 Votes

Justin Elliott | June 9, 2010, 10:00AM

Orly Taitz

In her bid to be the GOP nominee for California secretary of state, Birther conspiracy theorist Orly Taitz got 368,000 votes -- about 26 percent -- but lost badly to mainstream Republican Damon Dunn, who got 74 percent.

The only question now is: how long till Taitz claims the election was stolen and initiates years of litigation?

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Richard Pombo

Richard Pombo's Comeback Bid Founders

Justin Elliott | June 9, 2010, 9:14AM

Former Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA)

The comeback hopes of ethically-challenged former congressman Richard Pombo were dashed Tuesday, with the anti-environmentalist from California coming in a disappointing third place in the GOP primary in the state's 19th district.

Pombo was ousted from Congress in 2006 with assists by a big push from conservationist groups and his own myriad ethical problems. (TPMmuckraker's ethics retrospective on Pombo is here.)

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Rod Blagojevich

Opening Statements Begin In Blago's Corruption Trial

Rachel Slajda | June 8, 2010, 8:01PM

Former IL Gov Rod Blagojevich

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's (D) corruption trial began today, after a year and a half of the impeached governor and erstwhile Celebrity Apprentice star vowing that the evidence would prove his innocence. In his opening statement this afternoon, Blagojevich's lawyer argued that Blago is a naive politician who trusted the wrong people, calling his client "insecure" and "broke."

Blago's lawyer, Sam Adam Jr., told the jury today that Blago was a victim of men like Tony Rezko and others. He's naive, Adam said, and so insecure that "he shakes constantly" and "his own lawyers won't take his phone calls."

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Rick Renzi

Judge Throws Out Wiretap, Keeps Charges In Renzi Case

Rachel Slajda | June 8, 2010, 6:17PM

Former Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ)

An Arizona judge has thrown out all evidence resulting from a government wiretap in the corruption case of former Rep. Rick Renzi. The judge also declined to throw out the indictment in his decision on Friday, letting the charges stand.

Renzi is charged with extortion, money laundering, wire fraud, embezzlement and other crimes. Renzi, a Republican from Arizona, allegedly used his seat to strongarm people into buying land from a friend, who then kicked back money to Renzi in complicated financial transactions. He was indicted in February 2008.

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Gulf Coast Oil Spill

BP Flacks' Guide: Do Not Promise 'Property, Ecology, Or Anything Else Will Be Restored To Normal'

Justin Elliott | June 8, 2010, 5:50PM

Here's a sobering tidbit from BP's guide for company spokespeople dealing with oil spills: "No statement shall be made containing ... Promises that property, ecology, or anything else will be restored to normal."

The passage comes from BP's June 2009 Gulf of Mexico Regional Oil Spill Response Plan, made available by the Minerals Management Service. Check out the monster document right here (the flacks' guide is in Appendix X, page 528).

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Terrence Lakin

The Birther Court Martial: A Primer

Justin Elliott | June 8, 2010, 5:04PM

The most dramatic Birther stand of the Obama era is set to begin in earnest Friday when the military kicks off a preliminary hearing in the court martial of Birther Army Doctor Terrence Lakin. The process is likely to last several months and may well end with Lt. Col Lakin dismissed from the Army or even in jail, two military lawyers tell TPMmuckraker,

Lakin refused orders to deploy to Afghanistan earlier this year. He believes -- and said as much in a widely viewed YouTube video in March -- that Obama is not legitimately president, and that therefore all military orders are invalid. He faces charges of missing movement and not obeying orders.

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Blackwater

Blackwater Gets Into The Retail And Merchandising Game

Eric Lach | June 8, 2010, 11:56AM

Don't know what gift to get for the paramilitary-enthusiast in your life? Look no further then the Blackwater proshop. That's right, Blackwater, also known as Xe, also known as the private military contracting outfit at the center of a number of controversies in Iraq and Afghanistan, is getting into the retail game.

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Nikki Haley

Marchant Polygraph Test 'Inconclusive' On Haley Affair Claim

Justin Elliott | June 8, 2010, 8:47AM

Larry Marchant and Nikki Haley (inset)

In the latest in a continuing string of last-minute stunts in the South Carolina gubernatorial race, lobbyist Larry Marchant has taken a lie detector test about his claim of a one-night stand with front-runner Nikki Haley back in 2008.

The results of the test, which was sponsored by the local FOX affiliate? Inconclusive.

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Orly Taitz

Republican Jewish Coalition Hosts Birther Taitz As 'Special Guest' At Annual Bash

Justin Elliott | June 7, 2010, 6:20PM

Orly Taitz

Witness the mainstreaming of Orly Taitz?

The longtime Birther agitator and dentist who is now running for the GOP secretary of state nomination in California was a "special guest" of the Republican Jewish Coalition at the group's "annual summer bash" at the Beverly Hills Hilton Sunday. Also in attendance: GOP heavyweights Karl Rove, former Senator Norm Coleman, and California Senate candidates Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina.

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South Carolina

Bauer Releases Polygraph Results On Haley Affair Claim

Justin Elliott | June 7, 2010, 5:17PM

SC Lt. Governor Andre Bauer (R)

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has released the results of a polygraph that he says prove he did not push the story of an affair between Larry Marchant, his former campaign consultant, and Nikki Haley, Bauer's opponent in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

Haley had publicly accused Bauer of pushing the story of an affair, which she denies. Check out the results below.

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Florida Republican Party

Crist Friend Paid Greer $10,000 Per Month For 'Business Consulting'

Justin Elliott | June 7, 2010, 2:30PM

Jim Greer and Harry Sargeant (inset)

One of the most eye-popping recent revelations about former Florida GOP chair Jim Greer is that, when he was struggling with money problems, one generous Republican donor ponied up $10,000 per month for over 18 months to help Greer out, according to the criminal fraud charges against Greer.

But the story just got even better: none other than Palm Beach County businessman Harry Sargeant, who has been popping up as a player in political scandals since John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, has acknowledged to the Miami Herald that he is the donor who stepped in to give Greer a hand. Sargeant is a friend of Gov. Charlie Crist and a former state GOP official.

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Florida Republican Party

Greer Claim: Crist OKed Allegedly Criminal Fundraising Setup

Justin Elliott | June 7, 2010, 10:50AM

Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL) and former Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer

The attorney for former Florida GOP chief Jim Greer is asserting that Gov. Charlie Crist personally approved a fundraising arrangement under which a Greer company got a cut of donations to the party -- which is now the subject of criminal fraud charges against Greer.

The Miami Herald has the story:

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New Jersey

NJ Men Facing Terrorism Charge Not Linked To Any Terrorist Groups

Justin Elliott | June 7, 2010, 9:09AM

Pedro Almonte, father of Carlos Eduardo Almonte, at his home in in Elmwood, NJ, June 6, 2010

The two New Jersey men arrested at JFK airport in New York yesterday, who were allegedly bound for Somalia to attempt to join a terrorist group, had allegedly talked about killing Americans, but were not connected to any terrorist groups.

Authorities allege that Mohamed Mahmood Alessa, 20, and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 24 -- who were charged Sunday with conspiring to kill, maim and kidnap persons outside the U.S. -- planned to travel to Somalia and join the group al-Shabaab. An undercover FBI agent recorded conversations with the two men, who first came on the bureau's radar after a tip in 2006.

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