DC Politics Corruption

Posted on July 15, 2013 by novahockey

The Post ran a profile about a local businessman/fundraiser, Jeffrey Thompson (who calls himself “The Governor”), who has been ensnared in a fundraising and/or abuse of power scandal. It relates to the recent mayoral campaign and contracts for Medicaid managed care plans. It’s a good look at a local corruption story. This, however, jumped out.

Once, during a fundraiser, Thompson held court at the Hay-Adams hotel, according to a political consultant who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing federal investigation. “I walked in, and there was Jeff at the head of the table. Beautiful china. All of a sudden, ding, ding, ding,” the consultant said, hitting a plate with a knife to demonstrate. “He had on a top hat — I swear. He took it off and said, ‘Gentlemen.’ He passed the hat around, and people filled it with checks.”

I have to point out that is clearly a breach of etiquette. One’s top hat is checked upon entry to the establishment.

Full story

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Is This Legal?

Posted on December 13, 2011 by lmsinca

 I ran across this at one of the lefty sites.

Offering a candidate money to stand down is one of the tools used to suppress opposition activity in banana republics. If the offer made by Michael Savage isn’t against the law, it certainly should be. From the Savage Website (all caps in the original:

SAVAGE OFFERS GINGRICH $1 MILLION TO DROP OUT OF THE RACE — WILL ANNOUNCE ON SHOW TODAY

(SUBJECT TO ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO BE EXPRESSLY STATED BY DR. SAVAGE, INCLUDING GINGRICH DROPPING OUT WITHIN 72 HOURS OF TODAY)

Does this violate USC 18.I Ch 29 § 600?:

§ 600. PROMISE OF EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER BENEFIT FOR POLITICAL ACTIVITY

Whoever, directly or indirectly, promises any employment, position, compensation, contract, appointment, or other benefit, provided for or made possible in whole or in part by any Act of Congress, or any special consideration in obtaining any such benefit, to any person as consideration, favor, or reward for any political activity or for the support of or opposition to any candidate or any political party in connection with any general or special election to any political office, or in connection with any primary election or political convention or caucus held to select candidates for any political office, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

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