Honestly, I'm stunned. I had faith that Nancy Pelosi would drain the Republican swamp and clear out the 'Culture of Corruption' but then I read about yet another Congresswoman with 'alleged' ethics violations! This is getting serious on the heels of Rangel's and Water's problems. And I'm also seeing a very disturbing trend...which will become apparent...
Excerpt from The Dallas Morning News, all emphasis is my own:
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson violated rules, steered scholarships to relatives
10:28 AM CDT on Monday, August 30, 2010
By TODD J. GILLMAN and CHRISTY HOPPE / The Dallas Morning News
Longtime Dallas congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to four relatives and a top aide's two children since 2005, using foundation funds set aside for black lawmakers' causes.
The recipients were ineligible under anti-nepotism rules of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which provided the money. And all of the awards violated a foundation requirement that scholarship winners live or study in a caucus member's district.
Johnson, a Democrat, denied any favoritism when asked about the scholarships last week. Two days later, she acknowledged in a statement released by her office that she had violated the rules but said she had done so "unknowingly" and would work with the foundation to "rectify the financial situation."
Initially, she said, "I recognized the names when I saw them. And I knew that they had a need just like any other kid that would apply for one." Had there been more "very worthy applicants in my district," she added, "then I probably wouldn't have given it" to the relatives.
...
Johnson, a former chairwoman of the {Congressional Black} caucus who has served on the board that oversees the foundation, said she wasn't fully aware of the program rules and emphasized that she didn't "personally benefit."
...
Well...there you have it...she didn't personally benefit so that means it's ok.
Source:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/082910dntexcongress.2c049bb.html