January 09, 2006

No Dems Took From Abramoff?

Egailia at TN Guerilla Women links to a CNN video showing Howard Dean say that no Democrats took from the convicted lobyist Jack Abramoff.

Really? I guess the voice of Howard Dean is the equivalent to the voice of God to most Democrats...but I digress.

I don't normally post campaign press releases, but I received one* this morning that caught my attention from the Bob Corker campaign** regarding certain campaign donations from members of "Team Abramhoff" to a one Harold Ford Junior...and it includes some excellent details. This all after Junior called on Republicans to disclose any donations of their own from Abramhoff.

*Note: You'll find the press release in the extended entry portion of this post since it's not up on Corker's web site as of yet. **Note: This posting does not constitute an endorsement of Bob Corker for Senate.

January 9, 2006
For Immediate Release

Ford Campaign Finance Reports Show ‘Dinner Reception,’ Donations from ‘Team Abramoff’

Public Record Cleary Links Ford and “Team Abramoff”- Contradicts Ford Denials

Chattanooga – Today, the Bob Corker for Senate campaign continued to press Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. to fully explain and acknowledge his relationship with “Team Abramoff” lobbyists.

Campaign finance reports show Congressman Ford received thousands in donations from “Team Abramoff” members including a “dinner reception” paid for by a lobbyist the Associated Press described as “a member of Jack Abramoff's tribal lobbying team at the Greenberg Traurig law firm.” (AP 12/4/05).

“Harold Ford has been in Washington too long if he thinks Tennesseans will believe his flimsy denials of something so clearly evident in the public record,” said Corker campaign manager Ben Mitchell.

On Thursday of last week (1/5/06), Congressman Ford issued a statement saying, “Bob Corker [and the other Republican candidates] should disclose what Jack Abramoff and his associates gave them over the years and they should donate that money to a charity of their choice immediately.” (emphasis added) The Corker campaign has not received any money from Jack Abramoff or his associates.

However, in direct contradiction to the denials by the Ford campaign, the public record clearly shows donations to Congressman Ford from individuals the Washington Post describes as “Team Abramoff” lobbyists.

In Saturday’s Knox News Sentinel, Ford spokesperson Carol Andrews was quoted as saying “Congressman Ford has not received any Abramoff money - period, paragraph, end of story.” (Knox News Sentinel, 1/7/06)

But Congressman Ford’s campaign filings show at least seven donations including payment for a “dinner reception” by “Team Abramoff” lobbyists.

Lobbyist Michael D. Smith – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $500 donation by Mr. Smith on 4/10/01, a $500 donation on 3/05/03, a $250 donation on 6/12/03, and a $973.55 payment for a “dinner reception” on 3/12/02. The Associated Press reported Mr. Smith was “a member of Jack Abramoff's tribal lobbying team at the Greenberg Traurig law firm.” (AP 12/4/05). Mr. Smith’s lobbying disclosure forms show he also lobbied for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana.

Lobbyist Edward Ayoob – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $500 donation from Mr. Ayoob on 7/14/05. The Washington Post described Mr. Ayoob as a member of “Team Abramoff,” calling the associates a “tight-knit group who worked under Abramoff when he was at the lobbying helm of the Washington office of Greenberg Traurig LLP and, before that, Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP.” (Washington Post 6/25/05)

Lobbyist Alan Slomowitz – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $1000 donation from Mr. Slomowitz on 3/15/04. Mr. Slomowitz’s lobbying disclosure forms filed with the Secretary of the Senate show he lobbied for Abramoff clients including the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, and SunCruz Casino LLC. Washingtonpost.com lists Mr. Slomowitz among members of “Team Abramoff.”

Lobbyist Stephanie Short – Ford’s campaign finance reports show a $250 donation from Ms. Short on 6/13/03. The Washington Post reported Ms. Short “work[ed] for Abramoff as a Coushatta lobbyist.” (Washington Post, 3/13/05)

“Congressman Ford needs to explain all his dealings with Team Abramoff and acknowledge that his recent denials were completely false and misleading. Tennesseans have the right to the truth about the Congressman's connection to these lobbyists,” said Corker campaign manager Ben Mitchell.

Comments:

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Kind of interesting. I posted a response on the comments section of "Crooks and Liars" that stated that Wolfie was dumfounded that Dean continues to skew the truth and that he thought just because Abramof didn't write the checks to the Dem's that they weren't guilty of it. That post went up. But when I tried to post again with the link to your article, they locked me out. Nothing vulgar, no attacks, just the truth, and the "Crooks and Liars" don't want the truth.

Posted by: kwl at January 10, 2006 07:44 AM