NewsCloud.com Corruption News http://www.newscloud.com/section/corruption Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:14:48 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 en-us Conyers on Obama Aunt Leak http://www.newscloud.com/read/Conyers_on_Obama_Aunt_Leak I was startled to read in today's Associated Press that a "federal law enforcement official" has leaked information about an immigration case involving a relative of Senator Obama. Even more troubling, the AP reports that it could not "could not establish whether anyone at a political level in the Bush administration or in the McCain campaign had been involved," a very disturbing suggesting (sic) indeed. This leak is deplorable and I urge you to take immediate action to investigate and discipline those responsible.

]]> Stevens Convicted On All Counts http://www.newscloud.com/read/Stevens_Convicted_On_All_Counts Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that threatened to end the 40-year career of Alaska's political patriarch in disgrace. The verdict, coming barely a week before Election Day, increased Stevens' difficulty in winning what already was a difficult race against Democratic challenger Mark Begich

]]> Despite reforms, Congress hides $3.5B in defense earmarks | Seattle Times http://www.newscloud.com/read/Despite_reforms_Congress_hides_35B_in_defense_earmarks_Seattle_Times Time after time, Congress exploited loopholes or violated those rules, a Seattle Times investigation has found. An in-depth examination of the 2008 defense bill found $8.5 billion in earmarks. Of those, 40 percent - $3.5 billion - were hidden.

]]> Bangkok Post | Top Stories | Transport strangled http://www.newscloud.com/read/Bangkok_Post_Top_Stories_Transport_strangled Thais, upset that the PM Samak's government will not seek extradition of Thaksin, in spite of warrants issued for his arrest by the courts, and his wife and family members having been found guilty of various crimes of corrution and perjury, block airports, stop national train service.

]]> Cheney's Link to Sen. Ted Stevens Corruption Trial http://www.newscloud.com/read/Cheney_s_Link_to_Sen_Ted_Stevens_Corruption_Trial Two days later, Cheney wrote a letter to the Alaska Legislature urging members to "promptly enact" a bill to build the pipeline. The letter was considered unusual because the White House rarely contacts state lawmakers about pending legislative matters. It also angered state Democrats, who accused Cheney of pushing oil-company interests. The former executive director of Cheney's energy task force had gone to work as a lobbyist for British Petroleum, one of three firms slated to build the pipeline. Stevens confirmed to NEWSWEEK last week that he asked Cheney to write the letter.

]]> Justice Department indicts Sen. Ted Stevens http://www.newscloud.com/read/Justice_Department_indicts_Sen_Ted_Stevens Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator and a figure in Alaska politics since before statehood, was indicted Tuesday on seven counts of failing to disclose thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.

]]> Air Force uses counterterror funds to pay for VIP 'comfort capsules' http://www.newscloud.com/read/Air_Force_uses_counterterror_funds_to_pay_for_VIP_comfort_capsules_ via

Mike Malloy

: The U.S. Air Force has been trying to use counterterrorism funding to pay for "comfort capsules" that will allow government VIPs to enjoy "world class" travel on military transport planes, according to reports.

]]> Grand jury indicts Majority Leader DeWeese; Gov. Rendell investigated http://www.newscloud.com/read/Grand_jury_indicts_Majority_Leader_DeWeese_Gov_Rendell_investigated Rendell has been a "close friend" to the corporate agribusiness farm bureau and fought to undermine pro-democracy citizen groups in Pennsylvania. "Prosecutors in the last several weeks have grilled Gov. Rendell's state police driver about the governor's associations and whereabouts, and other matters. Federal and state investigators are examining, among other issues, Gov. Rendell's alleged dealings with organized crime figures, his administration's awarding of contracts, and contributions to the governor."

]]> Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai withdraws party from election saying to continue would cost supporters' lives http://www.newscloud.com/read/Zimbabwe_Tsvangirai_withdraws_party_from_election_saying_to_continue_would_cost_supporters_lives The opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday pulled out of this week's presidential election in Zimbabwe, saying he is not prepared to ask people to die by voting for him, and accusing Robert Mugabe of "waging a war against the people..."

]]> Did Karl Rove try to oust Plamegate nemesis from Rezko trial? http://www.newscloud.com/read/Did_Karl_Rove_try_to_oust_Plamegate_nemesis_from_Rezko_trial A potential witness in the federal trial of Democratic fundraiser Tony Rezko is prepared to testify that former Bush aide Karl Rove worked behind the scenes with Illinois political insiders to oust U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald from the growing case against Rezko, trial prosecutors said today...

]]> 22-year old with history of domestic abuse reportedly was awarded $300m Pentagon contract to supply http://www.newscloud.com/read/22year_old_with_history_of_domestic_abuse_reportedly_was_awarded_300m_Pentagon_contract_to_supply The Pentagon entrusted a 22-year old previously arrested for domestic violence and having a forged driving licence to be the main supplier of ammunition to Afghan forces at the height of the battle against a resurgent Taliban, it was reported today. AEY, essentially a one-man operation based in an unmarked office in Miami Beach, was awarded a contract worth $300m to supply the Afghan army and police in January last year. The New York Times broke this story earlier today after a lengthy investigation. AEY's president, Efraim Diversoli, 22, supplied stock that was 40 years old and rotting packing material. The vice president of the company was a masseuse.


]]> Lessig Bets On the Net To Clean Up Government http://www.newscloud.com/read/Lessig_Bets_On_the_Net_To_Clean_Up_Government Larry Lessig really 'gets it' when it comes to the efficacy of distributed open source code production. Now he is attempting to use distributed production methods to expose corruption in the US Congress with the launch of another 'CC' organization - this time it's called 'Change Congress'. CC (as opposed to cc for Creative Commons) would invite users to track whether US legislators are willing to commit to Change Congress' four pledges. CC will rely on users to record and map the positions of candidates who are running for open seats in the US House and Senate. Change Congress will use a Google mash-up to create a map depicting which legislators have taken the CC pledge, which have declined, and which have signaled support for planks in the Change-Congress platform

]]> Bush Administration Trying To Stop Fraud Reporting By War Contractors Abroad http://www.newscloud.com/read/Bush_Administration_Trying_To_Stop_Fraud_Reporting_By_War_Contractors_Abroad Thursday's demand marked the first step in a congressional inquiry of the loophole that was quietly slipped into plans otherwise aiming to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars spent on government contracts. The loophole was first reported last month by The Associated Press.

]]> OpEdNews.Com Progressive, Tough Liberal News and Opinion Home Page http://www.newscloud.com/read/OpEdNewsCom_Progressive_Tough_Liberal_News_and_Opinion_Home_Page The Evolution of Evil | The Smirking Chimp http://www.newscloud.com/read/The_Evolution_of_Evil_The_Smirking_Chimp