Another ethics complaint to DOJ for Repub: Lewis (R-CA).

[splat@14]

CREW FILES DOJ COMPLAINT AGAINST REP. JERRY LEWIS
Corrupt Activities Mirror Abramoff and Cunningham Criminal Actions
Washington, DC - Earlier today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and a possible contender for House Majority Leader. The complaint asks the Attorney General to have the Public Integrity Section initiate an investigation into the relationship between Rep. Lewis and lobbyist Bill Lowery and Mr. Lowery’s firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White.

A recent story in the San Diego Union-Tribune asserts that Rep. Lewis, as Chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has approved hundreds of millions of dollars in federal projects for Mr. Lowery’s clients. In apparent return, Mr. Lowery, his partners, and his firm’s clients have donated 37% of the $1.3 million that Rep. Lewis’s political action committee has received over the past six years.

In addition, at least one staffer has moved back and forth between Rep. Lewis’s and Mr. Lowery’s offices: Jeffrey Shockey left Rep. Lewis’s employ in 1999 after which he joined Mr. Lowery’s lobbying firm. He remained with the firm until 2005, when he left to return to work for Rep. Lewis. When he left, Mr. Lowery’s firm hired Mr. Shockey’s wife, Alexandra, to represent some of her husband’s old clients, with the result that on behalf of her husband’s former partners, she now lobbies staffers who work for her husband.

Melanie Sloan, CREW’s executive director, urged Attorney General Gonzales and Public Integrity Chief Noel Hillman to immediately commence an investigation into the Lewis/Lowery relationship, stating, “it is a little Duke Cunningham mixed with a lot of Jack Abramoff: Rep. Lewis doles out earmarks a la Cunningham and Mr. Lowery plays Abramoff, offering an unending stream of campaign contributions.” Sloan continued, “Corruption in Congress does not end with Tom DeLay or Jack Abramoff. There is not just one scandal, but a host of unethical activities that need to be investigated.”
Remainder at link:
http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=98
Actual complaint:
http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibrary/LettertoAGreJerryLewisplusExhibitA.pdf

[myrna minx]

1. Wow the DOJ will be very busy this year.

:bounce: :bounce:

[stop the bleeding]

2. yeah investigating the leaks to the NYT's that is their only concern

all of these "other" investigations are to give the appearance that Justice is being served, but the DOJ only cares about protecting the WH.

[rodeodance]

3. the Congressional ethics committee is worthless so lawsuit have to be

filed. Should be the other way around!

- Earlier today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and a possible contender for House Majority Leader. The complaint asks the Attorney General to have the Public Integrity Section initiate an investigation into the relationship between Rep. Lewis and lobbyist Bill Lowery and Mr. Lowery’s firm, Copeland Lowery Jacquez Denton & White.

[MagickMuffin]

4. He's also involved in the Cunningham/Wilkes Scandal

—House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., who got about $50,000 from Wilkes, Wade and their associates.

ttp://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,178216,00.html

[splat@14]

8. Didn't know that. IMO, the Cunningham case could go as deep into

This administration as Abramhoff's case does in the congress.

[MagickMuffin]

10. Apparently they are all Daisy Chained together

And then we have Cunningham wearing a wire for the Feds. Would love to hear what some of the people he trapped, had to say. Hopefully, we'll get that chance when he has his trial.:evilgrin:
:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[splat@14]

11. Check this out, I just posted this on Gen Discuss page:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2359228

[Toots]

5. It might be unethical but so far from what I read it doesn't seem illegal

Unless money was funneled through another source like a charity. That is the main thing they are trying to hang on Delay is money laundering through charities. It seems to be wide spread throughout the GOP but not sure in this instance. Should be an investigation though to make sure. It is a pattern the GOP has shown throughout the last decade. I would be willing to bet though that Lewis is on tape from his ol' buddy the "Duke"'s wire.

[KittyWampus]

6. 37% is definately significant, isn't it? For just one PAC?

[AlCzervik]

7. i just heard yesterday that he was thinking about running for Delays old

job, hmm, interesting turn of events. when will they file a complaint against Blunt?

[splat@14]

9. I see on the boards that indictment of Ney is expected soon. Not sure

about Blunt but I think they know its coming and will therefore not allow him to keep Delays seat.

[Tiggeroshii]

12. yesyesyesyesyesyesyes!!!

Now it's time that the Dems get a moderate conservative Dem here quick to run for his seat! We only have a ew more months before the election and if they are able to get enough crap on him, they might beable to work hard to make this very conservative district(87% in last election went to lewis). Oh god do I have my fingers crossed...

[mom cat]

13. They all went to "crook school" together.

[greiner3]

14. Maybe just the hint of sleaze about this slug;

Will be enough to keep him from the post. Maybe, for our purposes, it would be the best thing to have him elected to the post and we can come after him while he's in the leadership role. I think that would carry more clout than just another congressman getting caught. IMHO