WSJ: Feds are Investigating Ranking Dem on Ethics Cmte

[Rose Siding]

The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that the feds are investigating Rep. Alan Mollohan's (D-WV 01) finances and "whether they were properly disclosed."

According to the Journal, Mollohan's household assets exponentially grew (from $565K in '00 to at least $6.3M in' 04).

In addition, the article notes that one of his non-profit groups is "funded almost entirely through provisions he put into annual spending bills." NRCC Chmn Tom Reynolds called today for Mollohan to step down as ranking member of the ethics cmte until an investigation is complete.
....
Also, Pelosi has released a statement hitting back hard at the GOP. Replete with a chronlogical list of what she says are Dem efforts to reform the ethics process, Pelosi charges Hastert "and his Republican cohorts" with being "responsible for the most corrupt Congress in history." She adds that the GOPers "destroyed the ethics process in the House to protect their cronies Cunningham, DeLay, Ney, and other Members implicated in the Abramoff scandal - to name only a few." Pelosi: "The Speaker should join me in directing the Ethics Committee to get to work, and not cast aspersions on the independent and distinguished Ranking Member."

UPDATE III: The good-gov't crowd is now getting into the action. CREW, hardly a conservative front group, is calling on Mollohan to step down from his ethics post while under investigation. They add that if Mollohan does not "voluntarily step aside," Pelosi should "remove him and appoint a new member immediately."

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/04/mollohan_story.html

I need a cocktail.

[babylonsister]

1. Rut roh. If Mollohan is guilty, he should be hung out to dry.

That's a steep jump in funds and I'd wonder how that was doable as well.
Having said that, is this yet another witch hunt by the repugs?

[Teresa4ChrisCarney]

3. it's a distraction

when are they going to clean their own house?

[AndyA]

2. Oh shit. I know where this is heading...

Forget the lies of the President. Forget Tom DeLay. Forget Cunningham.

This is so much worse! Crucify! Bury! Appoint a Grand Jury!

The Republicans know their days are numbered. They have to grab joy wherever they can find it these days.

Edit: Spelling.

[robinlynne]

4. and remember, corruption is not a republican problem.

[AndyA]

5. Of course not, that's a given...should have reminded everyone of that. n/m

[INdemo]

7. Frist and insider trading..Where did it go

It didnt take this long to convict Martha

[stillcool]

6. screw this noise...

the entire federal government apparatus needs to be disappeared. Every frigging agency needs to be brought down. The only purpose the fed government serves, is in providing muscle for the criminals in charge.

[creeksneakers2]

8. The guy controlled real estate

The real estate properties and holding companies have been on his financial disclosure forms all along. In 2004, Mollohon took out some huge mortgages and bought about half a dozen properties.

I look at the way this article is worded, and the source, and figure its just another RW smear job.

Mollohan's response is on the link and it makes perfect sense.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/candlook.asp?txtName=Mollohan

[Rose Siding]

9. Thank you. -Not so cut and dried as it appeared.

This wire piece fleshed it out a little more, too-

snip>
Channing Phillips, principal assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, said Friday that he could not confirm receipt of the complaint or comment on any pending criminal investigation.

and this-

Boehm refused to release what he said was a 500-page complaint because some of the information it contains has not been thoroughly verified.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/07/AR2006040701912.html

It was almost predictable that the gop would target dems in iconic positions like ethics. I'd love to see some books thrown wide open (into more than a few faces)

[Rose Siding]

10. Big piece in tomorrow's NYT-

The reasons become more clear:

"Obviously, I am in the crosshairs of the National Republican Party and like-minded entities," said Mr. Mollohan, who faces one of his most serious electoral challenge in November. Vice President Dick Cheney is scheduled to headline a fund-raiser on April 21 for the Republican whom the White House recruited to run against Mr. Mollohan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/08/washington/08earmarks.html?hp&ex=1144468800&en=62a664282857da8b&ei=5094&partner=homepage

The spin, however, is very unfriendly-

snip>
The five organizations have diverse missions but form a cozy, cross-pollinated network in the forlorn former coal capitals of north-central West Virginia. Mr. Mollohan has recruited many of their top employees and board members, including longtime friends or former aides, who in turn provide him with steady campaign contributions and positive publicity in their newsletters.