Jim Campbell, Citizen Journalist
Dianne Feinstein has been accused of numerous ethics violations and has significantly profited from conflicts of interest while representing California in the United States Senate.
It would seem that she has avoided serious scrutiny, fines and possibly time in prison under the shield of the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee; with the term itself, clearly being an oxymoron.
It seems to be nothing more than the equivalent of asking members of said committee to give Bonnie and Clyde the keys to the bank and the combination to the safe. Would the outcome be in doubt in either situation?
The list is far to long for a brief posting, below are just a few examples of how she looks out for herself before she is concerned about the United States Taxpayer.
Feinstein Resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee Under Ethical Cloud
Feinstein was chairperson and ranking member of the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee (MILCON) for six years, during which time she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum’s ownership interests in two major defense contractors, Perini Corp. and URS Corp. These companies were awarded billions in military construction projects approved by Feinstein. (of course she was forced to resign)
Feinstein Introduced Legislation that Benefited Her Husband’s Investments
In 2007 Sen. Feinstein introduced legislation that has benefited her husband’s investments in ITT Educational Services and Career Education Corporation. This measure became law in Sept. 2009 and increased federal tuition aid (Pell Grants) by $20 billion over five years. Blum Capital Partners’ – Richard Blum’s privately owned investment firm – holdings in Career Education Corporation reached $508 million and holdings in ITT Education Services were $415 million as of early 2010.
John M. Simpson of Consumer Watchdog in Santa Monica was quoted as saying, “While increasing the number of Pell Grants may be good policy in the abstract, it certainly seems to be a blatant conflict of interest for Sen. Feinstein to introduce legislation that so clearly benefits her husband’s business…”
Dianne Feinstein frequently appears on Judicial Watches Most Wanted List of Corrupt Politicians. Californians deserve better, that is why they are voting for Elizabeth Emken, endorsed by The California Republican Party, outstanding educational background, private sector accomplishments, running the nationwide charity, Autism Speaks, all while taking care of her family.
Feinstein Routed $25 Billion to the FDIC Days After It Secured Funds for CB Richard Ellis Group, a Firm Her Husband Heads as Board Chairman
In 2009 the Washington Times reported that Sen. Feinstein had introduced legislation to route $25 billion in taxpayer money to the FDIC. The FDIC had recently awarded CB Richard Ellis Group – the commercial real estate firm that Sen. Feinstein’s husband Richard Blum heads as board chairman – a lucrative contract at a compensation rate above the market norm. The contract was awarded days after Sen. Feinstein offered the FDIC help in securing funds.
Senate ethics rules state that members must avoid conflicts of interest as well as even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Kent Cooper, a former federal regulator who specializes in government ethics and disclosures said, “This clearly gives the appearance of a conflict of interest…To maintain the people’s trust in government, it is incumbent on a legislator to take the extra steps necessary to ensure that when she introduces any legislation, that it does not cause people to question her motives or the business activities of her spouse.”
Congress Approves Private Bill To Help Illegal Immigrant to become permanent residents. (From the Corruption Chronicles of Judicial Watch)
From Judicial Watch, the secret law on behalf of one individual appears to be a growing trend among some pro-amnesty Democrats who are quietly blocking the deportations of illegal aliens and sponsoring clandestine legislation to keep the violators in the country indefinitely. Feinstein introduced 40% of the private bills most aimed secretly providing illegal aliens the road to amnesty and eventual citizenship.
Senator Feinstein, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee has allowed the spending to soar to $80 billion dollars because she failed to scrutinize the numbers of taxpayer dollars once again being squandered.
The figure exceeds the fiscal 2011 budget for the Department of Homeland Security ($44 billion) and the Justice Department ($29.2 billion) combined. Feinstein, who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, quickly threatened to “carefully” review the intelligence budget and “identify and remove any waste and unnecessary duplication.” Feinstein added that intelligence spending has “blossomed to an unacceptable level in the past decade.” Will she look into to this?
Senator Feinstein’s Repeated Unethical Actions are Unacceptable, and Voters Should Hold Her Accountable
The people’s faith and trust in our government is at the lowest level we’ve seen in decades according to new findings from the Pew Research Center. With this skepticism and California’s current economic woes, voters should be excited to have the chance to rid Washington of a Senator who, while morally bankrupt, has pocketed millions from her stint in public service.
Finally the voters have a choice with Elizabeth Emken, Meet Elizabeth and see her qualifications here. Visit Elizabeth on the issues here. California’s voters now clearly understand that the 83-year-old Feinstein, has been in the US Senate 4 terms while seeking a 5th and that she has been “TOO WRONG” FOR “TOO LONG” a “public servant” They understand that Elizabeth Emken will “RIGHT THE WRONG” and it won’t be “TOO LONG.” Emken 2012 for US Senate
Elizabeth Emken US Senate CA 2012 