HASTERT LET FOLEY RESIGN, SO HE STILL GETS $100,000 PENSION - Recommend!!

[Dems Will Win]

Buh-Bye Republicans! Even AFTER reading the IMs, not just the e-mails. Hastert and the GOP leadership let Mark Foley RESIGN instead of having him REMOVED.

This allows FOLEY TO KEEP HIS $100,000 a year PENSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

According to the Ethics Manual for Members, Officers, and Employees of the U.S. House of Representatives, each Member of Congress "shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives" and "shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House of Representatives." The Code of Ethics for Government Service further states that "any person in Government service should: … 4. Never discriminate unfairly by the dispensing of special favors or privileges to anyone, whether for remuneration or not; and never accept for himself or his family, favors or benefits under circumstances which might be construed by a reasonable person as influence the performance of his governmental duties."

http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/press-2051.html

Please, DISCUSS AMONG YOURSELVES...

...AND DON'T FORGET TO RECOMMEND BECAUSE THIS IS A DU EXCLUSIVE

Here is John Laesch's Web site to contribute and defeat Hastert!!

http://www.john06.com/donate

UPDATE: THE ENTIRE HOUSE MUST VOTE IN A SUPER-MAJORITY TO REMOVE A MEMBER, AND THE HOUSE JUST ADJOURNED FOR 6 WEEKS. HASTERT MUST NOW BRING THEM BACK IN A SPECIAL SESSION TO FORMALLY EXPEL FOLEY BEFORE THE ELECTION. THAT WILL SOON BE THE GOP'S LAST HOPE.

EXPULSION DOES NOT FORFEIT THE PENSION, SO THAT HOUSE RULE MUST BE AMENDED SO THAT A SEXUAL ABUSE CRIME ON A HOUSE PAGE--LIKE CERTAIN NATIONAL SECURITY OFFENSES--FINALLY FORFEITS THE PENSION.

THERE IS A PRECEDENT FOR THIS, AS CERTAIN NATIONAL SECURITY OFFENSES DO DISQUALIFY THE EXPELLED MEMBER FOR THEIR PENSION.

http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:Q1QEcPEnFegJ:fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/59024.pdf+expel+House+member&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

IN THE CODE IT IS 5 U.S.C. 8311 and 8312 which lists the National Security crimes allowing disqualification.

The provisions of this law concerning forfeiture of pensions apply at 5 U.S.C. § 8312 to convictions for such offenses as, for example,harboring or concealing persons; gathering or transmitting defense information; disclosure of classified information; espionage; sabotage; treason; rebellion or insurrection; seditious conspiracy; perjury in relation to those offenses; and other offenses relating to secrets andnational security.

Note generally, CRS Report 96-530, Loss of Federal Pensions For Members of Congress Convicted of Certain Offenses (June 6, 1996).39See, e.g., United States v. Podell, 572 F.2d 31 (2d Cir. 1978).403 U.S.C. 102, note, P.L. 85-745, as amended. Pensions Officers and employees of the United States, including Members of Congress,do not, upon indictment for a crime, nor upon conviction of every crime or felony, forfeit the federal pensions for which they qualify and the retirement income that they have accumulated. However, a federal pension will be forfeited if the officer oremployee is convicted of a crime that relates to espionage, treason, or other national security offenses against the United States expressly designated in the so-called “Hiss Act.”

38A person convicted of a crime may generally be subject to incarceration, monetary fine, certain forfeitures of property related to the criminal activity, and in the case of a federal official, such as a Member of Congress, may be liable in an action to recover sums of monies improperly received under a theory of “constructive trust.”

At this time, no additional penalty is imposed, such as the loss of one’s retirement income (over and above relevant fines), restitution, and imprisonment relating to the specific offenses involved. As to the loss of one’s federal pensions for federal officers and employees, and the surviving spouses of such officers, the natureof the offense is controlling; it does not matter if the individual resigns from office prior to or after indictment or conviction, if the individual is expelled from Congress, or, in the case of federal executive officers (other than the President, who is not under the general federal retirement system),

40 if the officer is impeached and removed.

There is the "constructuve trust" angle or simply adding the sex crime with a page to the list of exceptions in 5 U.S.C. § 8312.

Mr. Hastert and Boehner, the BALL IS IN YOUR COURT.

[katinmn]

1. Kick and Recommended!

Go John Laesch!

[Oceansaway]

2. done...n/t

[marmar]

3. No matter what crime you commit or sordid activity you engage in...

if you're a Repug, there's a golden parachute waiting for you.

[file83]

23. You could say that again - I can't believe this. Only in a corrupt gov't

could this happen. There is no honor, no diginity, no respect in this man's government.

[babylonsister]

4. Our tax dollars supporting a pedophile; just great. nt

[Subdivisions]

5. 5th Rec and kick for not using my tax dollars to fund Foley's retirement

[rodeodance]

6. well, guess Newt was lying as he just told Chris W. that the House would

have kicked him out if ABC would not have broken the story so soon.

[WePurrsevere]

20. Broke the story "so soon"? Hastert knew about this incidence for a YEAR...

this should have all come out and been resolved back then.

[NewJeffCT]

7. Is this a competitive race?

It would be a big embarrasment to the GOP to have Hastert defeated.

[AIJ Alom]

8. I refuse to support Foley ! KR

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. K & R.

Rewarded for being a child molesting predator. Only a REPUBLICAN could get away with that.

[Imagevision]

30. Pension?!! man I hope Keith Olberman hits on this!!

[zonkers]

10. No.

[FloridaPat]

11. Last I heard, if someone puts in the time, they get the retirement

if they quite or get fired. Can you point to any law that says otherwise here?

[Dems Will Win]

13. You're almost correct--see the update in the OP

Hastert would need to pass an amendment the House rules, so that comitting a sex crime with an under-age page forfeits the pension. There is a precedent in that certain national security offenses disqualify a House member from receiving their retirement, so the GOP leaders just need to add sex crimes with an under-age page to the list of exceptions.

Otherwise, Pelosi will soon be demanding it.

Calling a Special Session to expel Foley and amend the House rule on pension disqualification is now the GOP's Final hope to keep the House.

Otherwise Firecracker Nancy and John Conyers are in charge.

OOOOOHHHH NELLIE!

[FloridaPat]

54. Congress is exempt from the sexual harrasment laws. No way these

sex fiends are going to out law sex for their fellow members. That's one of the perks of office with these politicans.

[exlrrp]

68. Same as OJ

He still gets his pension also

[Jacobin]

12. The kids need to sue him, as did the kids molested by priests

Since it was covered up, I hope congress and/or Hastert gets sued as well.

[maddezmom]

14. K&R

Unfuckingbelievable :eyes:

[Sinti]

15. Shouldn't this man be looking forward to several years in prison?

Not retirement with $100,000 a year and probably a nice seat on the board of a large company somewhere? Where the hell is the "law and order" party now?

[Dems Will Win]

16. He will clearly go to jail, hoisted on the petard of his own

Adam Walsh Act of 2006!

The question is how to take away his House pension. Foley must be expelled by 2/3 of the House and then either have his pension paid to a fund because he violated "constructive trust" or the House amends USC 5 8312 to add to the list of exceptions that already exist.

The GOP's problem is that they must call a Special Session now to do this before the election!!

[Dems Will Win]

17. And a blogger made them do it! (cause I realized this)

I guess Dems really will win this time - Dems Will Win

[Dems Will Win]

19. If they don't call the special session, the Dems can hound them

on the pension issue. Say, what is the $$ number for the pension anyhow? I know it's $100,000 or more, but what is the exact figure and benefits?

[Imagevision]

34. K&R!!!

[Hubert Flottz]

18. Foley "Knows" where all the bodies are buried!

So they made a deal with him...?

[mcg]

29. Most likely he's got the goods on Hastert and his ilk. nt

[lebkuchen]

40. Once boys around the country start recognizing his mug in the news

we'll really see hell break loose.

He probably saw more "action" out of state, to retain anonymity.

[Imagevision]

64. Kicked and Recommended

[AzDar]

21. Sickening and typical ...... n/t

[file83]

22. $100k/year of TAXPAYERs money to that FUCKING SCUMBAG!?!?

:grr: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :grr:

[blogslut]

24. ATT: Dem Talking Point Talkers

Read the original post. There's a talking point in there. :think:

[Imagevision]

25. GOP reward predator Foley with $100,000 pension?!! this is obscene!!

[tabasco]

26. Failure to protect children being abused and outright crony corruption.

When will the remaining 39% finally open their eyes and see the utter corruption of the republican party?

This is a heinous example of what the greed party will do to stay in power.

The super - rich are looting the Treasury and they do not want to give up the goose that lays golden eggs!!

They will constantly stoop to new lows to hold onto that goose!! Now it is children who are being sacrificed.

With 39% approval.

[Imagevision]

41. K&R

[civildisoBDence]

61. It was gooseing children that got them into this mess

and measuring that page's golden eggs.

Newsprism

[Deja Q]

27. If the republicans were ethical and moral and returning dignity,

they'd have kicked him out.

As usual, it's politics as usual.

Vote AGAINST incumbants and do the same next time if the people voted in turn out to be sleaze. (I should write a book, "Politicians for Dummies" and stick it next to their other award winning book, "Dating for Dummies".)

[Joanne98]

28. A 100,000.00 dollars a year? Are you sure. That sounds kinda high.

[Dems Will Win]

31. The salary of Foley was $165,200 = Up to $125,000 per year pension

Plus great health benes.

Here's the rules on pensions:

Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Member's of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension.

The amount of a Congressperson's pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm

Mr. Foley could have a pension of up to about $125,000 or $130,000 per year! He was elected in 1994 and so meets the 5-year requirement for a pension. He is 52, so theoretically he has to wait until he is 62, although perhaps time served in Florida government counts?? Don't know.

[Dems Will Win]

36. Foley may get his pension in the end...

Ooops sorry for the mental picture.

[Imagevision]

46. TO FORMALLY EXPEL FOLEY BEFORE THE ELECTION

[Hamlette]

43. his retirement will be $30K, not $100K

he's been in congress for 12 years, he gets 1.5% for his first 5 years, 1.75% for the next 5 years, and 2% of his ending salary (roughly) or about 18.25% of his highest 3 years...which if it is 165K as you say, his retirement is about 30K per year, NOT 100,000.

you selectively quoted from your source....

here's more:

Members of Congress receive retirement and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They become vested after five years of full participation.

snip

Data compiled in 2003 showed 413 retired Members of Congress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on their congressional service. The average age of those retiring under CSRS was 75.5 and had at least 20 years of federal service. Those who retired under FERS had an average age of 68.3 years and 21.6 years of federal service. Their average retirement payment was $3,909 a month.

That same article says he contributed 1.3% of his salary into the system, the same as all Federal employees.
http://www.opm.gov/asd/hod/pdf/C050.pdf

[karlrschneider]

48. You are inferring that the pension is equal to the salary. Wrong.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/20/commentary/wastler/wastler/index.htm

[lonestarnot]

32. There should be a hearing in the basement with regard to this matter!

[Dems Will Win]

33. ROFLMAO!

[Dems Will Win]

35. kick

[fooj]

62. You betcha...who will have the honor of CUTTING THE MICROPHONE!

LOL!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Imagevision]

37. Folie was slick, exit early and keep the big bucks for free!! plenty of

time to play with boy-toys...

[Algorem]

38. Dennis Hastert was a high school wrestling coach;maybe he's put the

moves on a page or two himsef.There was a coach like that at a school I went to. Nothing a person like that likes better than getting themself into a 'hands-on' position like...say...high school wrestling coach.

Makes me wonder if Hastert might have a private wrestling gym at his big rich-guy estate where he brings a wayward boy or two for some 'character-building' 'wrestling lessons'."Plenty of towels in the shower room,boys!",he might be heard to say,say. Or not,just speculating.



http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0607060318jul06,1,2703033.story

Hastert's wealth is grounded in land
Booming suburbs yield bounty for longtime real estate investor

By Mike Dorning, James Kimberly and Ray Gibson, Tribune staff reporters. Tribune national correspondent Andrew Zajac contributed from Washington

Published July 6, 2006


During his long career in public service, House Speaker Dennis Hastert has amassed a multimillion-dollar fortune through real estate holdings that belies the humble image of a former small-town high school wrestling coach.

He lives on a 127-acre homestead near Plano that includes farmland, a pond and woods, situated along a creek and adjacent to a private forest preserve. Based on the price Hastert received for a sale of adjoining undeveloped farmland in December, his land alone is now valued at more than $4.5 million. In all, Hastert's net worth has soared from no more than $290,000 to more than $6 million during his 19-year tenure on Capitol Hill that has seen him rise from the back benches of Congress to speaker of the House.

Hastert's accumulation of wealth through a series of land deals has been the subject of recent scrutiny since a private research group last month questioned his sale of land near a federally funded highway project that he championed. The transactions appear to comply with the law.

In addition to the land in question, Hastert also owns a townhouse near the U.S. Capitol assessed for tax purposes at $399,000. He owns more property in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida that together is worth more than $1.8 million. He carries little debt...

[lebkuchen]

39. Time for another terror alert!

Or is Rove revising his October Surprise plans?

[Dems Will Win]

44. I'm sure Rove himself is going over the maps of Natanz, Iran

That's where they will definitely have to use the bunker buster now.

DUCK AND COVER FOLKS!

Bushco is certainly going to be nuking Iran now...

[BluePatriot]

42. wtf...that scum still gets a pension? Argh! (nt)

[Fovea]

45. Now let me see if I have this right.

The former boys wrestling coach subverts due process for the 100k/year annuity/bribe for an admitted nambla-assed chickenhawk one month before a critical election?

It just doesn't get any better than this. Or does it. Imagine that this was a smothering story, WTF could it possibly be trying to smother?

I wonder how hard the ** admin will work to save Hastert? Knowing that there is no stopping the party's minority status, who will they throw under the train next, I wonder?

[karlrschneider]

47. Are you sure about these figures??

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/20/commentary/wastler/wastler/index.htm

[Dems Will Win]

52. Followed the links and you're right!

Mark Foley for 12 years service would get $33,150 annually, plus Social Security and health benefits and other benes. About $65,000 for Foley in all in cash and benefit value -- not $100,000.

Unless his service for Florida government counts--not sure what that was...

Thanks for the heads up Karl!

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/retirement.pdf

[karlrschneider]

57. I'm just trying to keep things factual. You're most welcome.

:D

[mom cat]

49. Send this to Nancy Pelosi! If Hastart and Bonehead do not do the right

thing, then Nancy can put forth a resolution and demand a roll call vote.

[Homer Wells]

50. Each Member of Congress "shall conduct himself at all times

in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives".
Well, it can be argued that he does reflect the credibility of the House at the present time.
Just sayin':shrug:

x(

[BornagainDUer]

51. Boehner? How do you pronounce that?

:crazy:

[Imagevision]

53. Hastert Wants Gonzalez To Handle Investigation, Yeah, They're Concerned!

Gonzo will attempt to rush to cover this up ASAP to keep it under wraps because of the election but it's on Pelosi and the gang to keep Gonzo-boy on a leash.

[Ksec]

55. Itll be hard to spend all that jack in the prison hes going to.

Maybe he can use it to buy cigarretes for the big convict who will own him....

[stepnw1f]

56. KARMA is a Mighty Bitch for the GOP

Expect things to get worse for them....

[upi402]

58. lie cheat and steal

I hate Republicans. "Where's my bottle of Effemall?"

[BlooInBloo]

59. I have no problem refusing to pay another dime to the fed govt...

... so long as they're giving those dimes to sexual predators...

[Erika]

60. Hastert lets a pervert of minors collect a $100,000 pension?

Today's GOP. Greed only, no morals. Wonder how John Walsh will view this miscarriage of justice.

[tuvor]

63. Just asking: Since when would the GOP give a damn about Foley's pension...

...especially given the potential damage of his actions?

[Auggy]

65. I think it might be

One of those "Not only" type of things. Estimating 65 grand for his pension, that's roughly the median income for a family of four in the US.

F'rinstance: "My esteemed republican opponent allowed Rep Foley to walk away to a quiet retirement, receiving as much money as a family of four, even after this scandal - is this the person you want looking after your interests?"

[B Calm]

66. You'd think tax-angst cons would be a little pissed off knowing

that their tax dollars are rewarding cild molestors...

[Auggie]

67. Isn't that $100,000 pension more money for the victims to sue for?

[elehhhhna]

69. STRIP IT! Restructure it! Invest it in Enron retroactively...

offer in cash but for pickup monthly in Baquba...whatever, but don't PAY IT. How much $ can he spend in jail, anyway?

[Atman]

70. Foley was a loyal footsoldier

He "deserves" his payola.

[CrispyQ]

71. Oh, the irony!

They are terrified poor people might get something they don't deserve, like food stamps or help with child care, but this is ok. :eyes: