US Congressman Reported On Kremlin's Payroll

[Robbien]

That is how the FBI raid on Republican Curt Weldon story is being reported in Russia's news.

US Congressman Reported On Kremlin's Payroll

Rogue Russia's Moscow-based natural gas firm Itera International Energy Corporation offices were among the objects searched by FBI Monday in an investigation of whether Rep. Curt Weldon improperly helped the his daughter and a close friend to win lobbying and consulting contracts, the Associated Press news agency reports.

According to media reports, Itera paid $US500,000 to Ms Weldon's and Mr Sexton's firm. The contract was dated September 30, 2002, six days after the congressman helped arrange a dinner at the Library of Congress to honour Itera and its chief executive officer, Igor Makarov.

The FBI is investigating whether Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., used his influence to secure lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter, two people familiar with the inquiry said Saturday.

Weldon, vice chairman of the House Armed Services committee, is a Russian speaker regarded by some as a foreign policy expert

Two people familiar with the investigation confirmed that federal agents were examining Weldon's work between 2002 and 2004 to help two Russian companies and two Serbian brothers connected to former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

http://kavkazcenter.com/eng/content/2006/10/17/6007.shtml

Here in the US the only angle being reported (if reported at all) is that Weldon used his influence to get money for his daughter.

[wicket]

1. K & R

:wow:

[Jacobin]

2. It's like a forking Arabian bazaar in D.C.

We need a People's PAC so we can outbid the crooks to buy our congresscritters back.

[leveymg]

6. Actually, it's an Arab-Russian-Israeli-Chinese bazaar.

Everyone's interests are being represented by the GOP Congress, except America's.

[Tom Joad]

14. Depends on how you define "America's Interests"

Some people would equate that with the needs of corporate America.

Others define that as the needs of US working folk, and the common folk all over the world.
We don't want their fucking wars, we want fair labor for everyone, we want human rights for everyone. We have to fight for that.
May there be a million Seattle WTO protests.

[lukery]

17. shame on you Mark!

don't forget turkey!
http://wotisitgood4.blogspot.com/2006/10/hastert-key-to-understanding-brewster.html

[bif]

3. Just one more corrupt Republican on the take

[lyonn]

4. So, Weldon speaks Russian! Tell me more.

Sure enough he must be a "foreign policy expert."

[Nite Owl]

5. Anyone remembering

what they did to Bill Clinton about his college visit to Russia?

[hang a left]

7. If I remember correctly

Didn't Delay and his ex senior staff member have some dealings up there as well??

[Robbien]

10. I do believe Delay and Abramoff took a trip over there

but of course that story barely got a mention in the news.

[leveymg]

11. That was Abramoff's client, - another Russian energy/arms Mafiya

http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/pressclip.php?view=1424

Two former associates of Edwin A. Buckham, the congressman's former chief of staff and the organizer of the U.S. Family Network, said Buckham told them the funds came from Russian oil and gas executives. Abramoff had been working closely with two such Russian energy executives on their Washington agenda, and the lobbyist and Buckham had helped organize a 1997 Moscow visit by DeLay (R-Tex.).

The former president of the U.S. Family Network said Buckham told him that Russians contributed $1 million to the group in 1998 specifically to influence DeLay's vote on legislation the International Monetary Fund needed to finance a bailout of the collapsing Russian economy.

A spokesman for DeLay, who is fighting in a Texas state court unrelated charges of illegal fundraising, denied that the contributions influenced the former House majority leader's political activities. The Russian energy executives who worked with Abramoff denied yesterday knowing anything about the million-dollar London transaction described in tax documents.

Whatever the real motive for the contribution of $1 million -- a sum not prohibited by law but extraordinary for a small, nonprofit group -- the steady stream of corporate payments detailed on the donor list makes it clear that Abramoff's long-standing alliance with DeLay was sealed by a much more extensive web of financial ties than previously known.

SNIP

[Bluestar]

8. Is this why Weldon is being thrown under the bus?

I saw a similar connection on a Raw Story article, but it had so much information in it my eyes were bleeding when I tried to connect the dots. Anyway, I think there must be a reason the FBI is investigating as Bushco controls the FBI. There must be plenty to this story that they don't want to come out, so they are throwing Weldon under the bus. If he sings, it's gonna get real interesting.

[leveymg]

12. Weldon's #2 on the Armed Services/Homeland Sec Committees, and was a prime

mover for Randy Cunningam and some other GOP Members who have been involved in intelligence contracting and domestic spying scandals. See, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00125.htm

He also pissed off a lot of people at CIA and DIA through his various freelance 007 escapades. See, http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=9836 ; http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/05/08/con05285.html ; http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Backchannels_used_to_bypass_U.S._government_0111.html ; http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/15754123.htm

[Double T]

9. 'WE' need to outlaw lobbying and close down 'K Street'...........

THEN, institute term limits for ALL Executive, Legislative and Judicial positions.

[magellan]

15. Hear, hear!!

:applause:

[formercia]

13. I guess it wouldn't look very good

especially with Neil Bush being seen at an English Football match with a big-time Russian mafia boss.

[berni_mccoy]

16. HOLY SHIT! I thought the Cold War was OVER?!?!