Schwarzenegger has $8 million "part- time job", dismisses criticism

[Bluebear]

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dismissed criticism of his $8-million consulting deal with a magazine publisher Thursday, saying through a spokesman that the work takes up little time, poses no ethical conflicts and may even be saving taxpayers money.

Schwarzenegger believes that questions about his company's five-year agreement are "much ado about nothing," Rob Stutzman, the governor's communications director, said.

As governor, Schwarzenegger has refused to accept his $175,000 salary. He has talked repeatedly in his speeches of how he ran for the office to "give something back" to California — a state that propelled him to the status of box office sensation and multimillionaire.

He can more easily afford to refuse his state salary because of his private contract, Stutzman suggested. "That's one of the reasons maybe he doesn't need to take it from the state," the aide said. "He can continue to take consulting fees from something like this." Asked if the governor had any other outside deals, Stutzman said no. "He spends very little time on this," the spokesman said. "It's something he would essentially do in his spare time. These are magazines he's had a relationship with throughout his entire career in bodybuilding and fitness."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/20050715/ts_latimes/governordefendsmagazinedeal&printer=1

[LisaL]

1. Why doesn't anyone offers me a

8 million part time job?
Takes up little time, pays 8 millions-sounds just about perfect.

[Rex]

2. The Gropenator won't take the money

because he knows that 800 million dollars is enough money to make more publicity than taking 175k as a salary. I'm still waiting to see what he "gives back" to Cali. :eyes:

[rumpel]

3. He has also not returned Noe's campaign contribution (main Coingate guy)