Blunt urged to return 'tainted' money

[Peter Frank]

Group asks House majority leader to 'set a positive ethical example'

Andy Ostmeyer
Globe Assistant Metro Editor
12/3/05

U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt should give to charity $13,500 either he or his political action committee took from "tainted" sources, said Mike Casey, director of the Campaign for a Cleaner Congress, a group that has liberal ties.

Casey said Friday that Blunt needs to give back $5,000 he received in April 2004 from the political action committee of ADCS, a defense contractor that was implicated this week when former California Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned. On Monday, Cunningham pleaded guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes in exchange for steering business to defense contractors.

Casey's organization sent a letter to Blunt Friday, stating: "You are one of the members of Congress who has accepted significant contributions from defense contractors described as former Rep. Randy Cunningham's co-conspirators. We are asking that you give these tainted donations to charity and set a positive ethical example.

"As you are undoubtedly well aware, Congress has endured a string of recent ethical problems: From former Majority Leader Tom DeLay's indictment to the ongoing investigation of indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, public confidence has been shaken time and again. You can become part of the solution."

Casey's campaign also wants Blunt to give back $8,500 he received from Abramoff through four separate contributions from 1999 to 2003. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Abramoff or his clients received any undue benefits because of campaign contributions.

Burson Taylor, a spokesman for Blunt, said Friday that Blunt was not giving back any of the money.<snip>

http://www.joplinglobe.com/story.php?story_id=213454&c=87

[Broken_Hero]

1. He should be he won't...

cause he see's no wrong doing...probably. Or maybe Matt and him blew it all on booze and hookers....:)