Embattled home lender gives heavily to politicians

[davidinalameda]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/08/12/MNG7UE70IF1.DTL

A giant Orange County mortgage company accused of duping low-income homeowners has pumped more than $7 million into California politics since 2002, including contributions to Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Democratic Attorney General Bill Lockyer and dozens of other state legislators, members of Congress and political committees.

Ameriquest's top executive, Roland Arnall, also has been one of President Bush's top fundraisers, generating $12 million for the president's political efforts during the past four years. On July 28, Bush nominated Arnall, a billionaire who was ranked No. 106 in the 2004 Forbes magazine list of the wealthiest Americans, as ambassador to the Netherlands.

Since Schwarzenegger took office in 2003, he alone has pulled in more than $1.5 million from Ameriquest, Roland Arnall and his wife, Dawn. Ameriquest also has given $1.5 million to groups backing the governor's political efforts and, along with the Arnalls, has contributed $1.5 million to the California Republican Party.

The Arnalls' largesse
Some of the California politicians who have received campaign contributions since 2002 from Ameriquest Mortgage Co. and its top executives, Roland and Dawn Arnall:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger: $1.5 million

Attorney General Bill Lockyer: $271,200

State Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland: $78,200

Democratic state Controller Steve Westly, who is running for governor: $58,000

State Treasurer Phil Angelides, who also is in the 2006 governor's race: $15,000

State Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, a candidate for lieutenant governor: $5,000

State Sen. Chuck Poochigian, R-Fresno, a candidate for attorney general: $8,000

State Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria: $9,500

Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco: $1,500

Assemblyman Leland Yee, D-San Francisco: $3,500

Assemblyman Joe Nation, D-San Rafael: $9,400

Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, a Democratic candidate for attorney general: $2,500

Rep. Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo: $9,000

Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove: $2,000

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.: $1,000

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom: $500

[roody]

1. Ameriquest sucks

Why are all these elected office holders taking money from Ameriquest? And why are the Rolling Stones advertising for them!!?? Why are Ameriquest and other corporations running our "representatives". This is not democracy. Get corporations out of our government. Get Arnold out of government.