Ex-Congressman Retreats on Energy Project

[alp227]

A former congressman who became a lobbyist has abandoned his plans to collect $90,000 from working on an energy project that he helped finance through Congress.

The former congressman, Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts, told officials in Hull, Mass., this week that he would do the consulting work at no charge rather than collect $15,000 a month as planned. The decision was first reported in The Boston Globe.

An apologetic Mr. Delahunt told town officials he wanted to eliminate the “black mark” created by questions of a possible financial conflict, Patrick Cannon, chairman of the Hull Light Board, said on Saturday.

“This was a great decision for the town, because it saves us a lot of money,” Mr. Cannon said.

full: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/us/politics/delahunt-retreats-on-project-he-financed-in-congress.html

[freshwest]

1. '...do the consulting work at no charge rather than collect $15,000 a month as planned...'

So what? He'll be rewarded by his masters off the books.

'...wanted to eliminate the “black mark” created by questions of a possible financial conflict...'

Interested to see the phrase 'he financed through Congress' when he did'nt pay for the deal, generations of citizens will be paying for it. While our government is increasingly a rubber stamp for the interests of corporations, when will we call this what it is?

'...a great decision for the town, because it saves us a lot of money...'

This excuse only shows he doesn't want to be investigated for what he did while in office. Bet he'll get away with it. too. The Boston Globe needs to investigate his pals on the light board, too.