Judd Gregg may have bowed out due to (lack of) ethics

[babylonsister]

AP Exclusive: Gregg had stake in, won aid for base

By SHARON THEIMER
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's former nominee to become commerce secretary, Sen. Judd Gregg, steered taxpayer money to his home state's redevelopment of a former Air Force base even as he and his brother engaged in real estate deals there, an Associated Press investigation found.

Gregg, R-N.H., personally has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in Cyrus Gregg's office projects at the Pease International Tradeport, a Portsmouth business park built at the defunct Pease Air Force Base, once home to nuclear bombers. Judd Gregg has collected at least $240,017 to $651,801 from his investments there, Senate records show, while helping arrange at least $66 million in federal aid for the former base.

Gregg said he violated no laws or Senate rules.

But the senator's mixture of personal and professional business would have been difficult to square with President Barack Obama's campaign promise to impose greater transparency and integrity over federal budget earmarks - funding for lawmakers' pet projects. Gregg said that during his consideration for the Cabinet job, the White House did not know about his Pease earmarks, although the administration knew about his investments at Pease.

Under new Senate ethics rules, Gregg had to certify that federal aid he directed to specific projects was not intended solely to enrich him or immediate family, including siblings. Senators are also supposed to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest, though the Senate Ethics Committee seldom investigates or disciplines senators when questions are raised about their activities.

"I am absolutely sure that in every way I've complied with the ethics rules of the Senate both literally and in their spirit relative to any investment that I've made anywhere," Gregg told the AP. "These earmarks do not benefit me in any way, shape, manner financially, personally or in any other manner other than the fact that I'm a citizen of New Hampshire."

Gregg abruptly announced earlier this month that he was stepping aside from consideration for the Cabinet post, citing philosophical differences with Obama.

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GREGG_REAL_ESTATE?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[lamp_shade]

1. I believe you're right. n/t

[babylonsister]

2. Can you believe this? The m$m need to get on the ball here and

trash his reputation instead of trashing Obama's when Gregg bowed out. Like that will happen.

[malaise]

4. Maybe Tweety should start the ball rolling

He was canonizing him as St Judd, the patron saint of fiscal responsibility.

reword.

[Hissyspit]

3. kick nt

[madokie]

5. He's a slimy one no doubt

[LynneSin]

6. Isn't it nice - Obama nominates Republicans and we find out Republicans are corrupt

oh and Gregg has a re-election coming up in a state that tends to go blue.

Sometimes you wonder if there are no happy accidents

[OhioChick]

7. K&R

:kick: