McConnell earmarks funds for firm accused of bribery

[cal04]

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is pushing “$25 million in earmarked federal funds for a British defense contractor that is under criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and suspected by American diplomats of a ‘longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations.’” McConnell has taken at least $53,000 in campaign donations from the contractor’s political action committees and employees since his 2002 re-election. McConnell spokesman Don Stewart did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/27/mcconnell-earmarks-funds-for-firm-accused-of-bribery/

McConnell marks funds for contractor
FIRM UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR BRIBERY
By John Cheves

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is pushing $25 million in earmarked federal funds for a British defense contractor that is under criminal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department and suspected by American diplomats of a "longstanding, widespread pattern of bribery allegations."

McConnell tucked money for three weapons projects for BAE Systems into the defense appropriations bill, which the Senate approved Oct. 3. The Defense Department failed to include the money in its own budget request, which required McConnell to intercede, said BAE spokeswoman Susan Lenover.

BAE is based in Great Britain but has worldwide operations, including a Louisville facility that makes naval guns and employs 322. McConnell has taken at least $53,000 in campaign donations from BAE's political action committees and employees since his 2002 re-election. United Defense Industries, which BAE purchased two years ago, pledged $500,000 to a political-science foundation the senator created, the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville.
http://www.kentucky.com/454/story/214167.html

[rodeodance]

1. I pray for the day he fades into a bog. I see the story is in a KY paper. good.

[Kagemusha]

2. Unless this is an allegation of illegal foreign contributions, that must be cute math

in terms of what people are considered to be "BAE employees" who contribute to the man's campaign.

If anyone wants to accuse these people of personally bribing McConnell himself, best come with evidence.

[robinlynne]

3. The defense dept failed to include the money in its own request...

[TwilightGardener]

4. Hmmm...why is Tom Coburn (Mr. Anti-Earmark) NOT all over this one like flies on shit?

He came after Ben Nelson, after all, for a Nebraska defense-contractor earmark.