Hastert to Resign, Implicated In Cuningham Scandal

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  • LoungeMachine
    DIAMOND STATUS
    • Jul 2004
    • 32555

    Hastert to Resign, Implicated In Cuningham Scandal

    Think Progress

    Hastert To Announce Retirement As Evidence Mounts Of His Involvement In Cunningham Scandal

    For months, Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) has insisted that he will not run for re-election in 2008. In August, The New York Times reported that Hastert “intended to serve through next year because he believed he had an obligation to complete his term.”

    Yet now “Republican sources” are revealing that Hastert may announce that he plans to leave the House later this year” and retire early, triggering a special election to replace him.

    No specific reason has yet been given for Hastert’s early retirement. DownWithTyranny points out that CNN quoted a GOP aide as stating, “I think he is just done with being a member of Congress.” The former Speaker’s announcement, however, comes as mounting evidence proves Hastert’s involvement in the Duke Cunningham corruption scandal.

    In yesterday’s hearings, Joel Combs, the nephew of contractor Brent Wilkes, implicated Hastert in the scandal by pointing to an expensive trip the lawmaker received from Wilkes:

    A defense contractor paid thousands of dollars for golf trips, private jet flights, Super Bowl box seats and boat navigation systems for former Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham, the contractor’s nephew testified Wednesday.

    In return, Brent Wilkes had virtually unlimited access to the lawmaker, said Joel Combs, who worked for Wilkes and frequently joined him on trips and at meals with the congressman. […]

    Wilkes also paid to fly Cunningham and former House Speaker Dennis Hastert from a golf outing in Palm Springs to San Diego for a reception and then back to Washington on private jets, Combs testified.

    In September, Wilkes’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, attempted to subpoena dozens of federal lawmakers, including Hastert, to testify. House lawyers, however, “objected, saying members of Congress are covered under a constitutional provision that shields them from testifying about the legislative process.” Earlier this month, Geragos said he may attempt to issue new subpoenas for these members.

    Hastert was also wrapped up in the ethics scandal of fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff, ultimately collecting “more than $100,000 in donations from Abramoff’s firm and tribal clients between 2001 and 2004.” While receiving these contributions, Hastert wrote to federal officials on behalf of Abramoff’s clients.

    Filed under: Ethics, Congress
    Originally posted by Kristy
    Dude, what in the fuck is wrong with you? I'm full of hate and I do drugs.
    Originally posted by cadaverdog
    I posted under aliases and I jerk off with a sock. Anything else to add?
  • ODShowtime
    ROCKSTAR

    • Jun 2004
    • 5812

    #2
    I'm so sick of hearing about this. Anything negative against the repubs used to make me happy, but now it's getting depressing.

    They really are as corrupt as we thought they were.
    gnaw on it

    Comment

    • EAT MY ASSHOLE
      Veteran
      • Feb 2006
      • 1887

      #3
      Originally posted by ODShowtime
      I'm so sick of hearing about this. Anything negative against the repubs used to make me happy, but now it's getting depressing.

      They really are as corrupt as we thought they were.
      How could you be sick of hearing about this? Don't EVER let media exhaustion make you lose interest in something as important as our elected officials engaging in corruption and self-interest above their responsibilities. If for no other reason, the GOP is frankly DEPENDING on the news to report other important stories, like a 6 year old Portugal girl gone missing or Britney's latest melodrama.
      RIM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Comment

      • Nickdfresh
        SUPER MODERATOR

        • Oct 2004
        • 49125

        #4
        All excellent points...

        Yet, still, it feels a little weird getting a basic civics lecture from a guy named Eat My Asshole...

        Comment

        • EAT MY ASSHOLE
          Veteran
          • Feb 2006
          • 1887

          #5
          I'm not contradicting your statement. God I miss Academic Punk....
          RIM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

          Comment

          • Nickdfresh
            SUPER MODERATOR

            • Oct 2004
            • 49125

            #6
            He's around here somewhere...

            Comment

            • LoungeMachine
              DIAMOND STATUS
              • Jul 2004
              • 32555

              #7
              fuck that turtlefucker
              Originally posted by Kristy
              Dude, what in the fuck is wrong with you? I'm full of hate and I do drugs.
              Originally posted by cadaverdog
              I posted under aliases and I jerk off with a sock. Anything else to add?

              Comment

              • ODShowtime
                ROCKSTAR

                • Jun 2004
                • 5812

                #8
                I'd love to know how the turtle fucking came about.

                I don't think turtles are sexy. Too fat.
                gnaw on it

                Comment

                • EAT MY ASSHOLE
                  Veteran
                  • Feb 2006
                  • 1887

                  #9
                  Originally posted by ODShowtime
                  I'd love to know how the turtle fucking came about.

                  I don't think turtles are sexy. Too fat.
                  The thing is, you have to get them when they're young.
                  RIM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

                  Comment

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