Public service is not supposed to be a shortcut to self-enrichment. At the very least, public officials should obey the law. As alleged, these defendants did not obey the law; they broke the law and the public trust. There is a price to pay for that kind of betrayal.George Venizelos, assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation • Discussing the arrest of two New York politicians who are alleged to have made efforts to rig the 2013 NYC mayoral election. State Sen. Malcolm A. Smith, a Democrat who became the chamber’s first black president ever, is alleged to have bribed City Councilman Daniel J. Halloran III in an effort to gain Republican backing for a party switch in a campaign to replace the retiring Michael Bloomberg. Smith denies the charges, while Christine Quinn is probably laughing off the idea this scheme would have actually led to her defeat at the polls.
A case which could damage a huge company’s rep: New allegations of a massive bribery and cover-up, orchestrated by Wal-Mart International to protect Wal-Mart de Mexico executives, surfaced in the New York Times over the weekend. Former executive Sergio Cicero Zapata spent more than 15 hours with Times reporters, detailing his role, and the role of others in the alleged crimes. Worst of all, according to Cicero, former CEO Eduardo Castro-Wright didn’t just know about the payments; he endorsed them. Here’s what happened after that:
» So what’s next? As of this posting, neither the U.S. Department of Justice or its Mexican counterpart have announced that they’ll be launching investigations of Wal-Mart. If either country does decide to pursue an investigation, analysts and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act experts estimate that the governments’ legal fees could end up much higher than Wal-Mart stands to lose in penalties. We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available. (Photo by Code Poet)
I have made a habit of keeping a weapon near me when I sleep. I fear for my safety at the Capitol and have requested additional security.Democratic Arizona State Rep. Margaret “Lynne” Pancrazi • In a signed statement, included in a report on the results of an ethics investigation targeting Arizona Rep. Daniel Patterson. Patterson, who’s previously made headlines for domestic violence twice since his election in 2009, was revealed to be a frequent marijuana user by the third-party investigation. A lobbyist also revealed to investigators that Patterson once offered her a favorable vote on a bill in exchange for sex. The Arizona congressman has become known for his anger-fueled tirades both in and out of the House chambers. Patterson called the report biased, and responded on Twitter, saying, “I fight for your rights. Party politicians, media & lobbyists fear tough independence. I stir things up @ capitol but I don’t mean to offend.” source (via • follow)
I raised about $30 million… And if you’re saying that I can be bought for $5,000, I’m offended.
Rick Perry
I think he thought he was being charming but really all he’s done is made us ask “So exactly HOW much can you be bought for then?”
-Joe
(via stfuconservatives)
This is exactly what we were thinking.
Baltimore cops busted for kickbacks: Reports have come out that the Baltimore Police Department is charging seventeen officers, as well as a pair of brother auto mechanics, with running an extortion scheme through a towing company. Basically, the cops took bribes from the mechanics, proprietors of Rosedale’s Majestic Auto Repair shop, to steer accident tows and repair to their business instead of a city-authorized one. This scheme lasted two years, and now stands to cost those involved a maximum of twenty years in prison. source
Anti-Corruption Day Study: People bribe other people a lot: Transparency International says that one in four people worldwide paid bribes to people for public services. We do this all the time! It’s fun! source
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