Another Dem Scandal

Sorry. I'm having a little trouble keeping up with all the scandals that are plaguing the party that complained so loudly about the Republican "culture of corruption."

As a public service for those of you who, like me, may be struggling against this particular news tide, an update on WV congressman Alan Mollohan, courtesy of Dick Morris.

Pelosi now faces the challenge of whether to let West Virginia Democratic Congressman Alan Mollohan [that's his modest beach house ... can you say Duke Cunningham?] head the Appropriations subcommittee, which oversees the FBI, an organization which plans to spend part of the money Mollohan lets them have investigating Mollohan! Formerly the ranking Democrat on the House ethics committee — until his scandals forced him to step down — Mollohan has increased his assets from less than $500,000 in 2000 to more than $6.3 million in 2004. His investments, which generated less than $80,000 in 2000, reaped between $200,000 and $1.2 million in 2004.

How did he do it? He got federal funding earmarked for certain companies that his friends either owned or worked for, then got his buddies to pick up half the tab for joint real estate investments with him and his family. For example, he got FMW Composite Systems $4.4 million in earmarks and then teamed up with its CEO to buy a $900,000 farm, which the Mollohans and FMW’s chief split 50-50. The congressman told The New York Times that the thought that the deal might represent a conflict of interest “did not occur to me” when he — literally — bought the farm.

I'd make a disparaging remark about WV, but our office token Dem went to school there and loves the place. Besides, this isn't about WV. Corruption like this exists in all corners of our country, and if NanPo wants to do something about it, she can start by not rewarding the soon- to- be- found- guilty.

hat-tip: Real Clear Politics
Related Tags: Mollohan, Democrats, Politics, Pelosi