Indictments

To get a copy of this resolution formatted for printing, so you can take it with you to your precinct convention, click on the link in the Attachment box below.

WHEREAS, even though Bush/Cheney will be out of office on 1/20/09 and the pursuit of truth regarding this administration will be a repugnant, intensive process, this pursuit will:

See below for more updates on last night's protest from John Cobarruvias of Bay Area New Democrats.  He was one of the organizers of the event.  BAND can be counted on to have a significant prescence whenever DeLay is in town, even (like last night) when the event isn't even in the Clear Lake area nor in DeLay's district.

John counted 287 protestors.  I think that's a fairly accurate number, although it was difficult to count because we were spread out over such a big area, some people came late, etc.  The Houston Chronicle said police estimated about 250.

Scanlon charged with conspiracy to defraud Indian tribes

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/21/scanlon.plea/

From Terry Frieden
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Michael Scanlon, a former top aide to Rep. Tom DeLay and a onetime partner of high-powered Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge Monday.

As part of the deal with the Justice Department, Scanlon agreed to testify against Abramoff in a probe that also has implicated at least one member of Congress, two government sources have told CNN.

Scanlon was charged Friday with one count of conspiracy as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation of his and Abramoff's lobbying activities.

Scanlon, a 35-year-old public relations executive, agreed to pay $19.7 million in restitution for kickbacks he admitted receiving as part of the conspiracy to defraud his and Abramoff's clients.

By Tony Perry
Times Staff Writer

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-112805cunningham_lat,0,7681989,print.story?coll=ny-top-headlines

November 28, 2005, 3:14 PM EST

SAN DIEGO -- Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned his office today after pleading guilty to fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery and tax evasion in a political corruption case.

U.S. District Judge Larry Burns accepted the pleas from Cunningham, 63, including the congressman's admission in federal court that he had accepted bribes in exchange for performance of his official duties.

Wow! these silly Republicans - another one down!  Perhaps the GOP is having a secret contest to see who can get indicted for the "most" and "worst" crimes! WOW!!!! just look at this list!

so much for the "ethics" and "morality of the GOP.....can you believe this? All the references below are taken right off the DNC website where sources are appropriately cited. (Many thanks to Pokey Anderson for sending the image!)

By SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press Writer
Austin American Stateman

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_Lobbyist_Cornyn.html

WASHINGTON — Former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed claimed in a 2001 e-mail to a lobbyist that he choreographed John Cornyn's efforts as Texas attorney general to shut down an East Texas Indian tribe's casino.

Former DeLay aide, who may be cooperating in case, is likely to plead guilty

By MICHAEL HEDGES
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
Nov. 19, 2005, 9:26AM

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3471273.html

WASHINGTON - A two-year federal probe into the business affairs of two lobbyists with political ties to U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay produced criminal charges Friday against one of them, former DeLay aide Michael Scanlon.

Scanlon, who partnered with controversial lobbyist Jack Abramoff after leaving DeLay's staff five years ago, was accused of conspiring to defraud Indian tribe clients of millions of dollars.

The former DeLay aide has a court appearance scheduled for Monday at which he is expected to plead guilty. Issuing a criminal information rather than an indictment is a strong indicator that Scanlon has been cooperating with federal officials and that the charges are a result of negotiations, legal experts said. The charges carry punishment of between 51 and 63 months in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

DeLay, who once publicly called Abramoff his best friend, was not charged or implicated in the allegations by the U.S. Justice Department. A spokesman for DeLay said the lawmaker has not been contacted by federal prosecutors in the case.

But DeLay's connections with Scanlon, his press secretary from 1998 to 2000, and Abramoff, who accompanied DeLay on a lavish golf outing to Scotland, have prompted critics to call for an ethics investigation. DeLay has said he would welcome such a probe to "clear my name."

DeLay, the Sugar Land Republican, was forced to step down as House majority leader when he was indicted in Texas on campaign finance charges unrelated to Abramoff and Scanlon.

The charge against Scanlon marks a dramatic development in the investigation into whether Abramoff and Scanlon bilked Indian tribes in four states out of nearly $53 million while convincing the tribes that they could use political contacts to win them the right to build lucrative casinos.