Reply #8: I'm not picking up what you're laying down. [View All]

[Lasher]

Mollohan's presence on the House Committee on Appropriations does not make him an associate of Abramoff.

Mollohan helped funnel at least $179 million in U.S. government contracts over the last six years to companies that gave to his family-run charity.

The money went to 21 companies and nonprofit groups that contributed $225,427 to the Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation in 2004 -- almost half of the charity's revenue, according to the documents. Congressman Mollohan is the secretary of the foundation, which is named for his father.

This nonprofit distributes scholarships to West Virginia students.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=ayERCK9YQlQw

There is a widespread practice of trading Congressional access for campaign contributions and for donations like these. I find the convention at questionable but it is not illegal without a quid pro quo.

The Vandalia Heritage Foundation, which Mollohan established in 1998, is a nonprofit that is more likely to have been used for "...funneling money through Abramoff connected non-profits to friends and supporters...". This recipient of federal funds is involved in housing redevelopment efforts in Mollohan's district.

Neither of these nonprofits, however, nor any of the other nonprofits and companies that were beneficiaries of Mollohan's funding earmarks had any relevant relationship with Abramoff that tied the two together. This scandal has no connection with the ongoing Abramoff debacle.