Whistleblowers allege influence peddling by Congressmen, VP in project.

[Roland99]

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Whistleblowers_allege_influence_peddling_by_members_0329.html

According to documents and whistleblowers concerning a San Diego wastewater treatment plant to be built in Tijuana, Mexico, Vice President Dick Cheney, Reps. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA) and Brian Bilbray (R-CA) have allegedly advanced the project despite serious concerns from those involved.

...

In a letter to Cheney dated October 15, 2002, Bajagua Project manager Jim Simmons made clear that the Vice President had been instrumental in promoting Bajagua’s efforts.

“My colleagues and I are very grateful that you could spend some time with us in Roswell New Mexico on Monday October 14,” Simmons wrote. “We do appreciate your effort on our behalf and the wonderful job you and President Bush are doing for our country.”

The letter advised that Bajagua’s plans were being blocked by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), which manages shared water resources on the boundary between the US and Mexico, and asked Cheney to “consider arranging a meeting to facilitate a successful result.”

MUCH MORE at the link.


Well, aside from the Congressmen and DICK, it would seem that the new WH Chief of Staff, Josh Bolten, is involved as he was the director of the OMB. Although, he didn't take that position until June 2003 which is after most of this had occurred. Who was running the WH OMB before him? Mitch Daniels, currently the Governor of Indiana.

Can't wait to see how this plays out in the days to come and, for the life of me, I don't see why DICK would have gotten involved unless he's in tighter with Hunter than we all thought before

[Selatius]

1. Am I getting jaded by not being shocked anymore?

What does that say about the nature of our government when corruption and graft of this kind become routine? Is our government becoming a cancer on society? A cancer of the rot of corruption?

[AuntiBush]

6. Thought it was me.

That makes two of us, jaded. Its a daily bombardment of scandal after scandal, corruption upon corruption like never ever before.

[rodeodance]

8. scandal fatigue--was how an editorial put it the other day.

[TomInTib]

2. I wonder if the Dukester was in on this as well.

Saw this earlier and was too lazy to post it.

We don't want their people, but we will gladly send them our s**t.

[OKNancy]

3. It will be interesting to read the actual report

An explosive report, obtained in part by RAW STORY, and soon to be released by the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), fingers high-level officials both on the federal and local California level in allegations of influence-peddling ensnaring members of both parties.

[UpInArms]

4. Bajagua was a *Co supporter

http://www.fundrace.org/neighbors.php?search=1&type=name&lname=Simmons

MR. JAMES SIMMONS
PRINCIPAL/PARTNER
BAJAGUA, INC.
George W. Bush
$2,000 3534 AVENIDA AMOROSA (map)
ESCONDIDO, CA 92029

and here's a page with lots of background articles

http://www.bajagua.com/articles.shtml

[Roland99]

5. Thanks, UIA!

[leveymg]

7. Will we see this headline?: Cheney Goes Down In Sewage Treatment Scandal

Is this what’s finally going to pull Cheney down? I find this part of the story particularly stinky, and likely to lead to appointment of a Special Prosecutor:


Just how much influence did the Vice President wield on Bajagua’s behalf? According to an e-mail from former Internal Boundaries Commissioner Ortega to the Project on Government Oversight, investigator Nick Schwellenbach confirmed that Cheney wielded his political influence on behalf of Bajagua.

Recalling a meeting at the Council of Environmental Quality to coordinate U.S. agencies' efforts on behalf of Bajagua, he noted, “It was somehow understood that the Vice President’s office had directed the meeting…The IBWC had received prior to this meeting a copy of a document on a meeting the Vice President had with Bajagua in Roswell, N.M.”

The Department of Justice initially opposed awarding a sole-source contract to Bajagua. But when the DOJ attorney originally assigned to handle the case, Randall Humm, was replaced in 2003 by DOJ attorney and liaison to the Office of the Vice President, Mary Neumayr, the Justice Department reversed its position abruptly.

U.S. Attorneys don't like DOJ lawyers getting booted around by politicians and lobbyists. Look at what happened to Abramoff.

[Roland99]

9. "Flush Cheney!"

[SoCalDem]

10. Jesus would have had HIS ad refused too..

I mean...really!...

would you want to watch an ad where he actually TOUCHES a leper? or walks with a prostitute? or gives food to people who did not follow "personal responsibility"? (they should have eaten before they went to the gathering or brought their own food).

[Roland99]

11. Ummm...wrong thread?

:)

[SoCalDem]

12. I think you are onto something, Roland..

I often have several windows open, and apparently I threw myself out of the wrong one :loveya:

[Roland99]

13. he heh...btw, nice pic in your sig!