Reid says he won't take free tickets

[cal04]

Reversing course, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid's office acknowledged Wednesday night he misstated the ethics rules governing his acceptance of free boxing tickets and has decided to avoid taking such gifts in the future.
The Nevada senator still believes it was "entirely permissible" for him to accept ringside seats for three professional boxing matches in 2004 and 2005 from the Nevada Athletic Commission but has nonetheless decided to avoid doing so in the future, his office said.

"In light of questions that have been raised about the practice, Senator Reid will not accept these kinds of credentials in the future in order to avoid even the faintest appearance of impropriety," spokesman Jim Manley said. The announcement came after The Associated Press confronted Reid's office early Wednesday with conclusions from several ethics experts that the Senate leader misstated congressional ethics rules in trying to defend his actions.

The AP reported Monday that Reid accepted the free seats from the Nevada commission as it was trying to influence his support for legislation to create a federal boxing commission. The state agency feared the legislation would usurp its authority to regulate fights and wanted to convince Reid there was no need for a federal body.

Reid told Las Vegas reporters on Tuesday he would continue to accept such tickets and did not believe he did anything wrong even though fellow Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), R-Ariz., who joined him for one of the fights, decided to reimburse $1,400 for his seat.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060601/ap_on_go_co/reid_ethics

[ProSense]

1. There are so many different versions of this story

Did AP try to make John McCain look good at Harry Reid's expense?

Chris Saldaña, Reporter

Questions Linger Over Reid's Free Boxing Credentials

May 31, 2006 07:49 PM EDT

Several questions still linger on the free credentials Senator Harry Reid received from the Nevada Athletic Commission. Wednesday, the commission talked about their policy on issuing free credentials and getting free tickets themselves.

It's a ringside seat that Nevada Senator and Minority Leader Harry Reid accepted for free. Reid and the Nevada Athletic Commission say it was not a ticket but a credential. The Nevada Athletic Commission offerd the senator's credential to him.

Keith Kizer is the executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission. He says by state law, the commissioners have about thirty seats for judges, commissioners, staff and officials. The commission decides who can be credentialed and sits up front.

Snip...

The commission did not accept the money Senator McCain paid. The promoter accepted it and donated it to charity. Kizer says athletic commissions from other states often visit the credentialed area to learn how the Nevada Athletic Commission works. These visitors are often credentialed for free as well.

more...

http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4972281&nav=menu102_2

[Psephos]

2. Phew. Now I can sleep soundly at night. n/t