GOP fear fallout from new ethics probes

[babylonsister]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070530/ap_on_go_co/gop_ethics

GOP fear fallout from new ethics probes

By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer Wed May 30, 6:38 PM ET

WASHINGTON - A half dozen federal investigations into the activities of Republican lawmakers are raising new worries for GOP leaders who hope to regain the House majority they lost last fall.

In recent weeks, two veteran Republicans surrendered prominent committee seats after
FBI agents raided the offices of family businesses. Others have long-running investigations hanging over them. Some conservative activists are criticizing the party's handling of the matters.

Democrats say at least six GOP House members are under some degree of Justice Department scrutiny, although Republicans question whether all the inquiries are active.

In pure numbers, Republicans are approaching the magnitude of their problem at this stage of the 2006 election cycle. Eventually, nine House Republicans faced FBI investigations. Four stepped down, and two — Reps. Randy "Duke" Cunningham of California and Bob Ney of Ohio — are in prison. Of the five who sought re-election, three lost and the other two remain under ethical clouds.

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[AndyA]

1. Eventually, their dirty deeds come back to bite them on the butt.

I'm ready for DeLay to go to prison, and Frist as well. Whatever became of his insider trading investigation?

Oh, and what's going on with Mark Foley? Are we just supposed to forget about him?

[babylonsister]

2. Frist was cleared recently:

http://www.onelocalnews.com/howelltimesandtranscript/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=104823

No charges against Frist in stock sale
Staff and agencies
02 May, 2007


Fri Apr 27, 2:19 AM ET

WASHINGTON - The Securities and Exchange Commission has decided not to file insider-trading charges against former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist in connection with the sales of stock in the hospital chain his family owns, The Washington Post reported Friday.

Frist had a formal interview with Justice Department and SEC lawyers to address the stock sales in late January, the Post reported, citing unidentified sources.

Frist spokesman Matt Lehigh said the doctor would not comment beyond the statement.

"I‘ve always conducted myself according to the highest ethical standards in both my personal and public life, and my family and I are pleased that this matter has been resolved," he said in the statement.

HCA insiders were selling off shares as early as January 2005, with the largest sales taking place in April, May and June of that year. The insider sell-off totaled about 2.3 million shares worth at least $112 million.

[AndyA]

3. Why am I not surprised?

Frist will still need to worry about Karma. It can be a real bitch, especially when you wiggle out from under something you've done wrong.

He can't hide from Karma, it will eventually even the score.