What is Rep. Murtha’s connection to Bill and Ron Kuchera’s companies? That’s the topic of this Post report. In January, federal agents raided the ranch, along with the homes of Bill Kuchera and his younger brother Ron and the offices of two Kuchera companies. Federal authorities are investigating tips from company insiders suggesting that taxpayers […]
Day: June 5, 2009
Lobbyist Random Audits
Here is more news about random audits of lobbyists, this time from West Virginia. Lobbyists’ spending disclosure reports from recent legislative sessions had only minor omissions on a handful of reports, the state Ethics Commission was told Thursday. Under state ethics law, the commission randomly selects 30 lobbyists each year and has an independent auditor […]
Ambassadorships to Donors
The Hill reports that the Obama administration has awarded several ambassadorships to campaign donors. Obama has announced 24 ambassadorial nominations, but only two, those to Iraq and Afghanistan, have been confirmed. Some are high-profile posts that attract prominent diplomats and political heavyweights; others are cushy jobs that will go to top bundlers and key supporters.