Kerry Press Release: Questions for Bush on his VP's SEC Testimony

[Skinner]

For Immediate Release
August 5, 2004

“Today President Bush is holding another ‘Ask President Bush’ event. Here’s a few questions he should answer: Do the recent reports of Halliburton’s unscrupulous accounting practices while Cheney was CEO undermine your ability to talk about corporate responsibility? Does it concern you that your Vice President is involved in four ongoing federal investigations?” said Kerry campaign spokesman, Chad Clanton.

KEY QUESTIONS FOR PRESIDENT BUSH ON HIS VICE PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SEC

Today, President Bush participates in an "Ask President Bush" event in Columbus, Ohio. We have some questions for Bush regarding recent secret testimony by his Vice President before the Securities and Exchange Commission about accounting practices of his former company Halliburton.

1. Mr. President, in 2002 you said “If you lead a corporation, you have a responsibility to serve your shareholders, to be honest with your employees. You have a responsibility to obey the law and to tell the truth.” You also said that when a CEO “signs a statement, he’s giving his word, and should stand behind it.” Yesterday, Halliburton agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a SEC probe of the company’s accounting practices during the tenure of Dick Cheney. Do these standards apply to Vice President Cheney’s actions as a CEO? (Remarks by the President at Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Ceremony, 3/7/02; Bloomberg News, 8/3/04; Washington Post, 8/4/04)

2. It was revealed yesterday that Cheney testified under oath before the SEC and that he had “cooperated willingly and fully in the investigation conducted by the commission’s career staff.” At what point were you notified about Cheney’s testimony? Did you discuss this case with the Vice President at any time? (New York Times, 8/4/04)

3. Will you order your staff to release the details of all contacts between the Executive Office of the President or the Vice President and any SEC official regarding the investigation?

4. Vice President Cheney’s lawyer has said he has nothing to hide. If that is true, will you ask Cheney to release the contents of his sworn testimony?

SEC INVESTIGATION JUST ONE OF MANY INVESTIGATIONS OF CHENEY

There are a number of other federal investigations involving both Halliburton’s activities while Cheney was CEO and the Vice President’s office.

DOJ Investigation Into Halliburton / Iran Business

Justice Dept. Issued Subpoena Seeking Information of Halliburton’s Role in Iran While Cheney Was CEO. In July 2004, a federal grand jury issued a subpoena to Halliburton Co. seeking information about charges that Halliburton violated sanctions that prohibit U.S. corporations and business organizations from engaging in commercial, financial, or trade transactions with Iran. Government officials told the Washington Post such cases are referred to Justice only when there is evidence “intentional or willful” violations have occurred. (Houston Chronicle, 12/15/03; Halliburton Co. 10-Q, 5/7/04; Reuters, 7/19/04; Washington Post, 7/21/04)

DOJ / SEC / Foreign Gov’t Investigation into Halliburton Bribery Scandal

Cheney Could Be Linked To Halliburton Bribery Case. A French judge is looking at whether Vice President Dick Cheney may have been responsible under French law for at least one of four bribery payments exchanged between a Halliburton subsidiary and Nigerian officials to obtain contracts for liquefied natural projects. Under French law, “the head of a company can be charged with ‘misuse of corporate assets’ for bribes paid by any employee - even if the executive didn't know about the improper payments.” Furthermore, the SEC, the Justice Department and the Nigerian government are also investigating the bribery charges against Halliburton. (Dallas Morning News, 1/25/04, 2/10/04; Associated Press, 2/4/04, 2/5/04, 2/6/04; Houston Chronicle, 2/7/04)

DOJ Investigation Into Leak of CIA Agent’s Name

Cheney Interviewed In Case of the Leaking of the Identity of a CIA Agent. Vice President Cheney has been interviewed by federal prosecutors about the case of a White House official that leaked the name of a CIA operative to columnist Robert Novak “simply for revenge.” (WP, 9/28/03; NYT, 6/5/04; Bush Media Availability, 10/7/03)

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[faithnotgreed]

1. does it concern you that your vice pres is involved in FOUR federal

investigations?


then you can ask * if he is going to denounce the most recent smear attempt by john o neill & co


i think youll get the same answer to both questions - the sound of crickets and higher poll numbers