Weldon Claims CREW Behind FBI Probe

According to FOX News, embattled Representative Curt Weldon (R-PA) implied that Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is not only responsible for an FBI probe of his relationship with his daughter's lobbying firm but also the fact that "just weeks before my re-election word that the inquiry is occurring has mysteriously trickled out."

Weldon is correct that CREW asked the FBI to investigate -- 30 months ago. The McClatchy story that broke on Friday the 13th, however, reported that the FBI inquiry is a recent phenomena:

The FBI, which opened an investigation in recent months, has formally referred the matter to the department's Public Integrity Section for additional scrutiny. At issue are Weldon's efforts between 2002 and 2004 to aid two Russian companies and two Serbian brothers with ties to strongman Slobodan Milosevic, a federal law enforcement official said.

And who were the sources for the story? Not likely to be CREW, more likely to be Justice Department:

Word of the inquiry, which has been closely held within the Justice Department and the FBI, comes from two individuals with specific knowledge of the existence of the investigation. They both declined to be identified because of the confidentiality of criminal investigations.

Perhaps Weldon is lashing out at CREW because, last month, CREW included Weldon in its annual list of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress.

When Under Attack, Deflect
Weldon is resorting in a textbook manner -- when under attack, attack back. He continues:

It is no coincidence that the vice president of CREW, Philadelphia trial lawyer Daniel Berger, and his law firm are among the single largest contributors to my opponent Joe Sestak's campaign.

OK, let's take a look at the race and sources of funding. After all, analysts call the race between 10-term incumbent Weldon and Sestak a dead heat.

According to Open Secrets, as of 30 September 2006, Sestak had raised $2.3 million and spent $750,000. Weldon had raised $2.3 million and spent $1.5 million.

CapitalEye reports that Weldon's money has historically come from Boeing and Lockheed Martin, a tribute to his position as the second-ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. Sestak, "a former Navy admiral, had raised $1.13 million, nearly 7 times more than the average House challenger."

The number one contributor to the Sestak campaign is Blank Rome LLP (with offices in Philadelphia) at $10,750. Berger is not listed in the attorney or staff directory.

The number one contributor to the Weldon campaign is the Boeing Company at $17,800.

Turns out Berger exercised his rights as a citizen: to contribute the maximum allowed by law, as an individual, to the candidate of his choice. He made two contributions of $2,100 in March: one for the primary, one for the general.

Hardly the boogeyman implied by Weldon's claim.

Sources Of Funds
If you believe that home-grown dollars reflect a different kind of support than out-of-state dollars (and I do), then it's useful to know which candidate has the greater source of funds coming from within the state. In this case, it's the challenger.

The Sestak campaign has 75 percent of its funds coming from in-state; Weldon, 49 percent.

Looking at "industries" -- the Sestek campaign top industry is lawyers ($119,199) but it is followed closely by "retired" ($107,850). Weldon's: number one is "leadership PACS" -- in other words, other incumbent Congressmen ($209,007) -- and number two is "defense aerospace" ($85,750).

Military Bluster May Be Out of Fashion
The seventh district voted for John Kerry (53%) in the 2004 Presidential race but re-elected Weldon with 59% of the vote. Now, in 2006, it appears that Weldon's constituents are like most Americans, tired of Iraq, unhappy with Republican leadership in Washington. That's the real challenge facing him next month.

And here's the real question: Why did the FBI -- in a Republican Administration -- drag its feet for two years before investigating an allegation into possible criminal activities of highly-placed Republican Congressman?

Related:

• Money, Politics and Advocacy
• FBI Raid Targets Republican Representative
• The Astonishing D.C. Republican Culture of Corruption & Immorality
• Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (pdf)
• What happened here isn't staying here (background on one of the Florida properties raided on Monday) - added

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