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TV news ignored prohibited lobbyist contributions to DeLay defense fund
In apparent violation of House of Representatives rules, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) accepted contributions from three registered lobbyists to his legal defense fund, according to a December 6 report from watchdog group Public Citizen. Although the disclosure has already resulted in DeLay's fund returning several thousand dollars to various lobbyists, and a trustee of the fund acknowledging violation of the House rules, network and cable news have ignored the report.

Rep. Tom DeLay Accepted Lobbyists’ Contributions to Legal Defense Fund in Likely Violation of House Rules
Public Citizen Urges DeLay to Return the Funds and for the House Ethics Committee to Investigate This Alleged Violation

WASHINGTON -- December 6 -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) may have once again violated the rules of the House of Representatives, this time by accepting contributions to his legal defense fund from three registered lobbyists, according to an investigation by Public Citizen.

Under House rule XXV (5)(c)(3), registered lobbyists are prohibited from making contributions to a member’s legal defense fund. Yet Public Citizen’s investigation of the contributions made to DeLay’s Legal Expense Trust found three such contributions totaling $4,000:

Jeffrey Fedorchak of Impact Strategies, who donated $2,000 between April 1 and June 30, 2003. During that period, Fedorchak was registered as a lobbyist and his clients included Servicemaster Co. and Tuolumne Utilities District, according to U.S. Senate lobbying disclosure records.

Robert Odle Jr. of Weil Gotshal & Manges, who donated $1,000 between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2001. During that period, Odle was registered as a lobbyist for Nomura International, according to Senate records.

Vin Weber of Clark & Weinstock, who contributed $1,000 between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2001. During that period, Weber was registered as a lobbyist and his clients included the Greek government, Microsoft and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Senate records show

http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1206-09.htm

WOW!!! $4,000. By the way, didn't Clinton ask for contributions for his legal fees during his term in office for something he did wrong.

So because the amount taken from lobbyists was relatively small, that makes it ok? And because someone else may have done it, that makes it ok too?

There are 3 kinds of murder. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree. Someone is still killed, yet the punishments are different. Petty larceny is different than grand larceny. The amount does matter!!

We never did find out what Al Gore was doing in China? Hmmm, I remember now he sold our missle technology to China and in return the Chinese gave the Clintion 10 of millions.

Any coincidence that the Chinese space program has grown by leaps and bounds the last 5 years?

Wonder how much of Mark Rich's money went to the Clinton Library? Wonder how much a presidential pardon costs?

Both parties have people who abuse their power.

$4000 is a far cry from $40 million!