Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson Agrees to Repay Scholarship Money

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Politics Daily

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), who said she "unknowingly" broke Congressional Black Caucus Foundation rules by awarding thousands of dollars in scholarship money to four relatives and a top aide's two children, will repay the money, the New York Times reports.

Members of the Black Caucus are given $10,000 every year to award scholarships. They must follow certain rules in awarding the privately raised money, including a requirement that winners not be related to caucus members nor live or study in the lawmaker's district. According to the Dallas Morning News, Johnson provided 23 scholarships totaling $25,000 to two of her grandsons, two of her great-nephews and to an aide's son and daughter, all between 2005 and 2009.

At first the Dallas lawmaker denied violating the anti-nepotism regulation, but later said in a statement she made a mistake and would work with the foundation to "rectify the financial situation," The Associated Press reported. On Tuesday, Johnson's press secretary, Dena Craig, said the nine-term congresswoman was recovering from surgery and would not be able to comment.

Rep. Donald Payne, (D-N.J.), who chairs the foundation, denounced the "self-dealing" move and vowed to prevent further violations of the scholarship rules.

Read more: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/01/rep-eddie-bernice-johnson-agrees-to-repay-scholarship-money/

[Lightning Count]

1. I like where she said that she didn't consider her grandkids to be relatives.

Thanks grandma!

[rainbow4321]

14. No kidding..she said she "thought" she recognized

their names on the award list.
Keep in mind that the kids signed the paperwork that specifically said that they were not relatives of anyone involved with awarding the money. One of them has been getting the money for 3 years.

Imagine being a kid or parent IN her district...she said outright that she didn't think or was not sure that there were kids "worthy" of the award money.

[kcks]

2. this

"unknowingly" is suppose to pass the smell test, it would not if it was Republican why should it for Johnson?

[Soylent Brice]

4. it doesn't pass the small test. it's shameful and

i hope she's punished accordingly.

and republicans would get away with it. If you can be a diaper-wearing, hooker loving republicon, and still remain in office, i think a repuke would have no problem side-stepping this.

[No Elephants]

11. Republicans would get away with it, whether or not it passed a smell test.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. Do you like Western movies? I have a very good one to recommend you. -nt

[Dappleganger]

3. Wouldn't a bit of common decency

dictate that you shouldn't show favoritism to your relatives and friends with other peoples' money??

[superconnected]

5. And she's a Dem. Embarassing.

I hope the Dems do punishing her for this.

[No Elephants]

10. Do Congressional Dems have jurisdiction to punish her for violating the rules of a private charity?

Even if she returns the money?

[Hangingon]

6. I am afraid she didn't say she would repay...

According to the Dallas News story she said, "would work with the foundation to "rectify the financial situation,". Rectify the situation does not mean repay. Time for her to go.

[alp227]

7. She still denies knowingly steering the money? What a coward.

She joins in her fellow corrupt Dems Maxine Waters and Charlie Rangel.

According to the NY Times elections page, Johnson's district (TX-30) is majority black and Hispanic. (a combined 80%) Johnson is the first and only representative of TX-30, which was created following the 1990 Census, and she's been elected every election from '92-'08. How much will this scholarship scandal affect her in a district with a majority of voters likely to vote left-wing? And when in the past, Johnson has won at least 70% of the vote? (74% in 2002, 93% in 2004 without a Republican opponent, 80% in 2006, and 82% in 2008)

[HoraceX]

8. Hilarious

Nothing burns the teabaggers more than a story like this. She cold keep doing things like this and never have to worry about an election.

[LawnKorn]

13. And I hope Representative Johnson wins re-election along with Representatives Waters and Rangel

In case people are not paying attention, we are in for a stiff fight for the House of Representatives this year, and we need every single seat we can get to be filled by a Democrat. This is where we will win or lose the fight here, folks. The committee chairmanships are too valuable to let the Republicans take over.

If the Republicans take over the House, they will waste valuable time, money, and effort conducting 'hearings' on the way we Democrats have been running the country. Nothing will get done. Worse yet, the Republicans will attempt to undo legislation we worked hard to pass.

The Republicans have no intention of fixing any of the problems in the Health Care Bill. Rather than having a Democratic Congress correcting decencies in the bill, the Republicans will be working to destroy it. We can't let that happen.

It will be much easier to defeat the Republicans if we hold onto Representative Johnson's seat than if we let some Republican take it.

[defendandprotect]

16. It is humorous...Repugs are stealing the Treasury, swindling everyone . . .

and we have a Rep. who gets CAUGHT for giving scholarships to relatives!!

Did she think no one would be looking???

[The Croquist]

19. Thanks for taking the moral high ground

None of these 3 districts will go Republican.

In the last 7 elections Rangel has gotten 94%, 94%, 91%, 89%, 92%, 93% and 91% of the vote. He has a primary however on 09/14 and I hope he gets his ass booted but it's not likely.

In her 8 elections Waters has gotten 84%, 81%, 78%, 87%, 89%, 86%, 78% and 83% of the vote.

In her 3 elections Johnson has gotten 82%, 80% and 93% of the vote.

So what we will end up with is three criminals representing their districts in congress and you are happy. What does that say about their districts, their party and you?

I hope all three of them get censured at the least. What scares me the most is how many representatives will vote against censure. That will be an indication of more rot.

[LawnKorn]

20. This country has a disease. We have to cure the disease first, then work on getting healthy

The Republicans are the disease and they must be defeated. Crushing the Republicans requires as many seats held by Democrats as possible. When the Republicans are regulated to the back burner of influence in Congress, then we take up the cause of building even greater standing with the American people.

A questionable Democrat is considerably more valuable than any Republican.

[Mimosa]

23. That attitude reminds me why Louisiana was a swamp of corruption for decades

Lawnkorn, no Republicans probably have a chance in that district. But how about some Dem new blood, somebody who has more integrity?

[AC_Mem]

9. "Unknowingly" (air quotes)

Even though this was done 4-5 years ago, it is wrong and needs to be handled. I'm a strong progressive democrat, but right is right and wrong is wrong and the corruption has to stop on both sides.

I'm hopeful that the more transparent we are becoming the better behaved the politicians are going to have to be. Especially the Democrats, because we are trying to lead the way and are currently in power, although some would debate how much of our power we are using currently...

I wish November would just get over with already, so we can pick up the pieces and work to move this country back into prosperity.

[rocktivity]

12. She didn't "know" the money was going to her relatives?

They just happened to be passing by when she threw the money out a window--yeah, that's the ticket!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[defendandprotect]

15. hmmmmm.......!!!!

[davidinalameda]

17. I'm really surprised at the comments

no one is giving her a free pass like others have done with Democrats like Waters and Rangel

[Mimosa]

22. Just heard Johnson interviewed by Anderson Cooper

I just listened to Johnson interviewed by Anderson Cooper. The woman has no ethical compass. In that she is like so many public officials who have exploited the system. I'm sure many do it less blatantly and don't get caught. But this kind of lawbreaking should not be given a pass.

With nine terms in Congress, it's likely Johnson knew the rules.

[Subdivisions]

21. She has to go. Whether she paid the money back or not makes no difference

to the kids who would have gotten that money had she not directed to her own relatives.

Sorry, Rep Johnson, but you got to go.