Not too long ago I started a keeping a record of
Republicans who've been indicted, investigated, convicted, or pleaded guilty to all kinds of nefarious stuff. At first it was just a little one page job so I could keep track of the people mentioned in various diaries here. Then two pages. And, now three. I'm figuring I'd better get this list up in diary form before it becomes a Blog Eating Leviathan that vacuums up memory like a shop-vac. I'm sure there are state and local examples of Republican shenanigans that should be added. So, either stop me! Or, take a look at the list and add names!
Abramoff, Jack Republican lobbyist, pleaded guilty to fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe public officials.
Washington Post
Buckham, Edwin A former Chief of Staff to Texas Congressman Tom DeLay, founder of the Alexander Strategy Group, founded and served as the consultant for U.S. Family Network; SourceWatch
Prosecutors are investigating how business was directed to the Alexander Strategy Group when the firm was hiring spouses of members of Congress. Washington Post
Michael Brown FEMA Director, ousted former Arabian Horse Assn. judges' commissioner, resigned in the aftermath of FEMA's response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "In one e-mail, sent on Aug. 29 as Katrina was pummeling the Gulf, a FEMA public affairs official tells Brown the outfit he wore on a television appearance looked "fabulous," to which Brown replies, "I got it at Nordstroms," then adds, "Are you proud of me? Can I quit now? Can I go home?" CBS News
Burns, Conrad Republican Montana Senator under investigation for involvement in the Abramoff Scandal.
Washington Post
Colyandro, John D. formerly executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority, indicted along with Jim Ellis on September 28, 2005 for violations of Texas campaign finance laws. Colyandro, who "already faced charges of money laundering in the case, [and] also faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution," and Ellis were indicted September 13, 2005, "on additional felony charges of violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate election law for their role in the 2002 legislative races." CNN
Crawford, Lester M. former FDA commissioner in the Bush administration who resigned from the agency in September, 2005 amid questions about undisclosed financial conflicts of interest, took a job with Policy Directions, Inc. (food and drug lobby group) on February 8, 2006. Policy Directions was founded by Frankie L. Trull, a proponent of animal testing and a critic of animal rights groups. Washington Post
Cunningham, Randy (R-CA) resigned from his Congressional Seat after pleading guilty to receiving $2.4 million in bribes from military contractors and evading more than $1 million in taxes. Los Angeles Times
DeLay, Tom Republican Congressman from Texas, indicted by a Texas grand jury on a charge of criminal conspiracy to use illegal corporate campaign contributions in 2002 state elections. Washington Post
Deutsch, George former G.W. Bush appointee at NASA who told public affairs officers to limit reporters' access to a well known climate scientist, and to add the word "theory" to all references to the Big Bang. Resigned his post on the day it was revealed that he did not graduate from Texas A&M as his resume on file at NASA asserted. New York Times
Doolittle, John T. Republican, California Congressman, under investigation for his involvement with Abramoff's handling of tribal funds. Washington Post
Ellis, Jim indicted September 28, 2005, formerly head of ARM-PAC (Tom DeLay) faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution," "already faced charges of money laundering in the case." ... indicted September 13, 2005, "on additional felony charges of violating Texas election law and criminal conspiracy to violate election law for their role in the 2002 legislative races." CNN
Federici, Italia head of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, who testified that she was "duped" by Jack Abramoff, et. al. "She acknowledged that the lobbyist had arranged for the tribes to donate to her group, the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy. Because he was a friend and donor, she said, she went along with his requests -- "once every other week, once a month" -- to contact Griles." "...Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the ranking Democrat, Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (N.D.), cast Federici as a paid conduit for Abramoff's influence-peddling with the department."
Washington Post
Gibson, Duane lobbyist and former Capitol Hill staffer; joined Abramoff at Traurig Green in 2002; went to the Livingston Group when Abramoff scandal broke. "...Gibson's name has also appeared in grand jury subpoenas as the federal task force in Washington continues to ratchet up its investigation. Abramoff has pleaded guilty in cases in Florida and Washington, and many are bracing for charges against others." Three months before Richard Pombo inserted the "Land Grab" provision in a mining law act Gibson's lobbying firm hosted a $1000/per fundraiser for Pombo, and Gibson donated $1,000 to him. Los AngelesTimes
Griles, Steven J. Department of Interior Deputy, involved in opening public lands to oil drilling and exploration. Left the Department in December 2004. "During nearly half his four-year tenure at [the Department of the] Interior, Griles was investigated by the department's inspector general. Inspector General Earl Devaney concluded Griles didn't appear to violate ethics rules by arranging meetings between Interior officials and former clients and partners, or in the award of $1.6 million in contracts to a former client. "But Devaney described Griles' behavior as an example of 'an institutional failure' among Interior officials who potentially eroded public trust by failing to consider the perceived impropriety of their actions." SourceWatch
Libby, Lewis "Scooter" Chief of Staff to Vice President Richard Cheney, indicted by a federal grand jury for perjury and obstruction of justice in the investigation of the leaked identity of CIA Agent Valerie Plame, and the disruption of the "Brewster Jennings" operation. Trial set for January 2007.
McGee, Chuck New Hampshire Republican Party Executive, planned the telephoning jamming operation of Democratic Party phone lines in 2002 election. Served seven month prison sentence. Boston Globe
Ney, Robert Ohio Congressman identified as "Congressman #1" in the indictment of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Washington Post
Raymond, Allen Republican operative awaiting sentencing in the New Hampshire phone bank jamming case, provided the technical and operational assistance for the scam, pleaded guilty to charges. Boston Globe
Reed, Ralph Candidate for Lt. Gov in Georgia, founder of Century Strategies lobbying firm in Washington D.C. who has close ties to Karl Rove. "Scanlon's company, Capitol Campaign Strategies, paid Reed to help assemble anti-gambling coalitions in Louisiana and Texas. Among other things, those coalitions backed a lawsuit filed by Texas' attorney general that early in 2002 succeeded in shutting down two Texas casinos that posed competition to the Coushattas' highly lucrative operation." Century Strategies also held a contract with Enron. "Not long after Century Strategies started, Rove reportedly helped Reed land an Enron contract worth at least $300,000 to help build support for energy deregulation." Mother Jones Magazine
Rudy, Tony Republican lobbyist under investigation for assistance provided to Abramoff lobbying clients while working for Congressman Tom DeLay. Liberty Consulting, founded by Rudy's wife Lisa, is also under review by the Justice Department. Washington Post
Safavian, David Arrested September 19, 2005 at his home in Virginia for perjury and obstruction of justice. Until his resignation on the day the criminal complaint against him was signed, Safavian was the top administrator at the federal procurement office in the White House Office of Management and Budget, where he set purchasing policy for the entire government. Washington Post
Scanlon, Michael Republican public relations executive, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, and agreed to pay back $19.7 million in restitution for kickbacks. CNN
Stein, Robert J. CPA official pleaded guilty to stealing more than $2 million and rigging bids on $8.6 million in reconstruction contracts. MSNBC
Tobin, James Republican head of Bush-Cheney New England organization, convicted December 2005 on telephone harassment charges Thursday for his part in a plot to jam the Democrats' phones on Election Day 2002. ABC News Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2006.
Truscott, Carl J. Director of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms met with questions from the DOJ about his plans to spend $300,000 in improvements to the Director's Suite, including $65,000 for a conference table and $100,000 for hardwood floors. Some ATF officials objected to the $1 million extensive security detail for Truscott for 5 full time agents and 2 armored Suburbans, which are beyond what is available for other agency heads including the U.S. Marshals Service. "ATF executives have been told to expect cutbacks of 20 to 30 percent in their operating costs this fiscal year. The heads of the agency's eight directorates were required to submit memos two weeks ago outlining cuts under that scenario." Washington Post
Wilkes, Brent San Diego businessman under investigation in the bribery case of Randy Cunningham, and wll known Republican fundraiser. USA Today