Tricky Ricky Made a Million on Land While in Office

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has never been paid a government salary of more than $150,000, became a millionaire while in public office through well-timed sales in the Texas real estate market.

The Republican presidential hopeful bought property from friends and political allies and sold to Texas businessmen, such as computer magnate Michael Dell, and in the process made more than $1 million. Perry’s income also was supplemented by stock sales, according to his tax returns and county land and tax records.

The transactions have drawn criticism from Democrats and ethics experts because, at times, they involved people who would benefit from their ties to the governor and because Perry always came out on top in the real estate deals.

“Public officials have a responsibility around conflicts of interest to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” said Thomas Donaldson, a University of Pennsylvania Wharton School business ethics professor who hasn’t reviewed the transactions in detail. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-19/perry-made-more-than-a-million-on-real-estate-while-in-office.html

[HereSince1628]

1. This shit is so common...I wonder if it is worthy of remark?

So many politicians do so very well on their investments.

[EC]

2. Typical repub

money laundering technique. I think it was a very expensive boat sale that eventually got Abermoff. I may be remembering it wrong though.

[JDPriestly]

3. Were these real or fraudulent transactions?

Were they made to appear like sales when they were gifts?

This deserves some investigation, some questions.

The deals may have been quite legitimate -- but then, who knows?

Looks suspicious in any event.

[Scuba]

4. Bribery, legalized. n/t