Anchorage Daily News still hounding Don...

[Blue_In_AK]

I'm loving this. http://www.adn.com/opinion/view/story/8831060p-8731704c.html

Silence grows louder
Despite colleague's assertions, Rep. Young provides no answers

Published: April 27, 2007
Last Modified: April 27, 2007 at 12:54 AM

The scandal at Rep. Don Young's House Transportation Committee has crept closer to his feet, but he continues to stonewall questions about his role in it.

Was he responsible for hiring and supervising Mark Zachares, the recently convicted aide who traded favors with lobbyist Jack Abramoff?

Yes, says Frank LoBiondo, a Republican congressman from New Jersey. Rep. LoBiondo chaired the House Transportation Committee's subcommittee on the Coast Guard and maritime issues. Mr. Zachares worked for that subcommittee, but Rep. LoBiondo's office says Rep. Young controlled the staff.

"Congressman Don Young, who was chair of the full House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during that time, was solely in charge of the hiring, firing and daily management of staff, including Mark Zachares," Rep. LoBiondo spokesman Jason Galanes told Roll Call, a trade publication covering Congress.

Mr. Galanes went on: "Despite being a subcommittee chair, Congressman LoBiondo had no input in the selection or management of staff members."

Perhaps Rep. LoBiondo is just trying to distance himself from the growing scandal by blaming Rep. Young for Mr. Zachares' hiring. If that's the case, though, it shouldn't be hard for the Alaska congressman to explain exactly who did what.

Still, Rep. Young is saying nothing about the scandal. He says nothing, even though a fellow Republican colleague says Rep. Young put Mr. Zachares in position to do his corrupt business.

His silence speaks volumes. It says he doesn't have to be accountable to Alaskans for the scandal at his committee. It says he views Alaskans with contempt.

BOTTOM LINE: If Alaska's congressman didn't hire the corrupt aide, who did?