Jo Bonner

GOP Ethics Chair: Ethics Office Would Take Info From A Tabloid

Ryan J. Reilly | January 31, 2011, 4:15PM

Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL) told a reporter for a newspaper in his home state that political realities kept House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) from shutting down the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, which he said would begin an investigation "out of the National Enquirer."

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Topics: House Ethics Committee, Jo Bonner, Maxine Waters, Office of Congressional Ethics, Stan Brand

Ethics

Ethics Committee: Wall Street Fundraisers Weren't As Bad As DeLay

Ryan J. Reilly | January 26, 2011, 6:00PM

Nothing to see here, folks!

That's the takeaway of the House Ethics Committee's 616-page report on fundraisers targeting financial industry lobbyists held by members of the House around the time the legislative body was voting on an overhaul of financial regulation in December of 2009.

Despite the recommendations of the more independent Office of Congressional Ethics, the House Ethics Committee wouldn't be looking into whether events geared towards financial lobbyists held by three members of Congress had the appearance of impropriety.

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Topics: Ethics, House Ethics Committee, John Campbell, Joseph Crowley, Office of Congressional Ethics, Tom DeLay, Tom Price

Paul Magliocchetti

Despite Donations To Girl Scouts, PMA Lobbyist Gets 27 Months

Ryan J. Reilly and Alex Sciuto | January 7, 2011, 6:17PM

Former super-lobbyist Paul Magliocchetti was sentenced today to 27 months in prison, a spokesman for the Justice Department told TPM.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Virginia, told TPM that the hearing, which began at 1 p.m., lasted until 5:30 p.m.

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Topics: Congress, Corruption, Department of Justice, Eastern District of Virginia, John Murtha, Lobbyists, Office of Congressional Ethics, PMA, PMA Group, Paul Magliocchetti

Office of Congressional Ethics

What Members Of Congress Improperly Bought With Their Per Diem Cash

Ryan J. Reilly | January 4, 2011, 8:00AM

Rep. Joe "You Lie" Wilson (R-SC) used the cash the government gave him for his personal lodging, meals and incidentals during an official overseas trips to buy a statue of the statesman who founded Turkey, marble goblets from Afghanistan and flags from various countries with which to decorate his congressional office. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) picked up flowers, candy and wine for ambassadors or other hosts; had custom-made baseball hats for staff and members attending one overseas trip; and gave a $100 bill to an Iraqi refugee at an event in Saudi Arabia.

Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL) purchased gifts like "leather goods, t-shirts, dolls, and post cards" for his family and used his per diem to cover the expenses of his wife, who accompanied him on at least one trip. Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) picked up gifts and souvenirs for his family with his per diem and also suggested members pick up the cost of one ''shockingly'' expensive meal for their staffers. Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) "occasionally used the per diem to cover the meals and entertainment of leaders or residents of the country that he visited" as well as gifts for his secretary and chief of staff. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX) picked up the tab of some meals for his staff.

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Topics: Alcee Hastings, Eliot Engel, G.K. Butterfield, Joe Wilson, Office of Congressional Ethics, Robert Aderholt, Solomon Ortiz