Oopsie -- Murkowski to sell back Kenai property.

[Blue_In_AK]

Caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Lisa decides to do the right thing.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/9165107p-9081594c.html

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said this morning that she and her husband intend to sell back their Kenai riverfront property to Anchorage businessman Bob Penney.

Murkowski announced the give back a day after a Washington watchdog group filed a 15-page Senate ethics complaint against her, alleging that Penney sold the property well below market value. The transaction amounted to an illegal gift worth between $70,000 and $170,000, depending on how the property was valued, according to the complaint by the National Legal and Policy Center.

<snip>

“While Verne and I intended to make this our family home and we paid a fair price for this land, no property is worth compromising the trust of the Alaska people,” Murkowski said in a written statement. “I cannot allow this to become a distraction from the major challenges faced in representing Alaska. So we have decided to sell this property back to Bob Penney at the same price for which it was purchased.”

Ken Boehm, chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center, said Thursday that Murkowski did the right thing by announcing she would return the property. But, he added, his complaint should still be heard because Murkowski’s 2006 disclosure remains inaccurate. Among his charges was that she failed to disclose the transaction as required by Senate rules.

[Bitwit1234]

1. Damn those republicans do an about face when caught don't they

[Suich]

2. How far do you think this will go?

Should be interesting!

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. "When word gets out in the streets."

That's the only thing that will make a lawyer suddenly remember his code of ethics. I guess it works for politicans too. But think of the immense work it took for some citizen group to bring the evidence to the right agency. And, maybe, four years ago, she would have gotten away with it altogether.

[tech3149]

4. Ethics only really matter when no one's looking over your shoulder

I'm glad that Ms. Murkowski was at least willing to say "Oops my bad" when called on a questionable deal. The true measure of a persons ethical base is what they do when no one is watching.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We have much greater threats than foreign enemies, an elected official with questionable morales could do much greater harm to the nation.

[northofdenali]

5. It just tickles me no end to see these assholes FINALLY

being dragged into the light of day. I don't care if she GIVES the property back, she still committed a major ethics violation and lied about it on her disclosure - that's perjury in my book. Can't believe I may live to see the day Lisa, Uncle Ted and Dandy Don go down in flames.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. It's like Christmas up here. :-)

[northofdenali]

7. I've never seen AK Dems so giddy! Just got a note from Johnny Ellis -

Great new website up - www.dropdon.com - lots of his asshole quotes, idiotic moves, etc. Enjoy! :pals: I even think we might be able to take at least 2 of 'em out next go-round (c'mon DIANE)!

[Blue_In_AK]

8. They just did a big piece on this

on the KTUU news tonight. I'm waiting for it to be online so I can post it here. Also a KTUU poll last night showed that 63% of the respondents said they would be voting AGAINST Ted and Don next year if their investigations aren't resolved. This is all such fabulous news.

That website is a hoot. :)

[northofdenali]

9. I thought you'd like it!

Email me the KTUU transcript link, will you? I'm out a lot (job hunting) so may miss your post here.