To read detailed profiles of the people inducted into the Ethics Hall of Shame, click on the links below. (hattip Cleanupwashington.org)
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) Forced to resign his position as House majority leader; under indictment for money laundering in Texas; likely the focus of a Justice Department investigation for his ties to admitted felon and former super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.)Pleaded guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors and sentanced to 8 years in prison.
Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) Resigned as chairman of the House Administration Committee because of allegations that he used his office to help Jack Abramoff and his clients.
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) Went to bat for a Jack Abramoff client; he short-circuited an investigation into the owner of a failed savings and loan; his aides attempted to scuttle an environmental regulation that could have hurt the Pombo family’s business.
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) A major recipient of Jack Abramoff’s largess, who went to extraordinary lengths to help an Abramoff client.
Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) Involved in an investigation of alleged extortion in a business investment scheme; was found to have stashed large amounts of cash in his freezer
Jack Abramoff, Admitted Felon and Former Super-LobbyistThe poster child of why systemic reform to the influence-peddling system is so desperately needed in Washington.
Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) Passed $37 million in defense contracts to the same man that bribed "Duke" Cunningham, held a fundraiser in one of Abramhoff's skyboxes, and is currently under investigation by the Justice Dept.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) Under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for possible insider stock trading; he also went to extraordinary lengths to insert a provision into a new law that will insulate drug companies from some defective products lawsuits.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) Slipped a favor for a major tobacco company into legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security but
Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) Forced to resign his position as House majority leader; under indictment for money laundering in Texas; likely the focus of a Justice Department investigation for his ties to admitted felon and former super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.)Pleaded guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors and sentanced to 8 years in prison.
Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio) Resigned as chairman of the House Administration Committee because of allegations that he used his office to help Jack Abramoff and his clients.
Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) Went to bat for a Jack Abramoff client; he short-circuited an investigation into the owner of a failed savings and loan; his aides attempted to scuttle an environmental regulation that could have hurt the Pombo family’s business.
Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) A major recipient of Jack Abramoff’s largess, who went to extraordinary lengths to help an Abramoff client.
Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) Involved in an investigation of alleged extortion in a business investment scheme; was found to have stashed large amounts of cash in his freezer
Jack Abramoff, Admitted Felon and Former Super-LobbyistThe poster child of why systemic reform to the influence-peddling system is so desperately needed in Washington.
Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) Passed $37 million in defense contracts to the same man that bribed "Duke" Cunningham, held a fundraiser in one of Abramhoff's skyboxes, and is currently under investigation by the Justice Dept.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) Under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for possible insider stock trading; he also went to extraordinary lengths to insert a provision into a new law that will insulate drug companies from some defective products lawsuits.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) Slipped a favor for a major tobacco company into legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security but
