US House Republican Jerry Lewis fires all 60 contract investigators involved with corruption probe of his committee

[Aegeon]

You know some House Republicans are desperate when they don't even try to be subtle about actively abusing thier power to obstruct an investigation anymore. First some background on the investigation.

Inland Rep. Jerry Lewis has paid $750,000 to a prominent Los Angeles-based law firm to handle aspects of an ongoing federal investigation into his relationship with an embattled Washington lobbying firm, newly released campaign finance records show.

Congressional rules allow tapping campaign funds for legal expenses. Neither the Redlands Republican nor the firm formerly known as Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White have been charged with wrongdoing.

But the ongoing inquiry has put drain on Lewis' campaign funds. The amount he has paid to the law firm represents 65 percent of the $1.16 million he has raised through Sept. 30...

In May, a federal grand jury subpoenaed documents from a host of Inland cities and counties as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The subpoenas asked for billing statements and communications among Lewis, his staff, the Copeland, Lowery firm and its clients.

Two Lewis staffers have worked for the firm, and Lewis is a friend of firm partner Bill Lowery, a former San Diego-area congressman.

http://www.pe.com/elections/2006/state/...s/PE_News_Local_D_lewis19.36409cd.html

Now the latest action Lewis has taken using his power as the House Appropriations Commitee Chairman.

This evening, Congressional Quarterly reports (sub. req.) that in a round of calls Monday evening, Lewis fired 60 investigators who had worked for his committee rooting out fraud, waste and abuse, effective immediately. As in, don't bother coming in on Tuesday.

The investigators were contract workers, brought on to handle the extraordinary level of fraud investigations facing the panel. Sixteen permanent investigative staff are staying on, according to CQ. More:

"Lewis? decision ?has in fact stalled all of the investigations on the staff,? said one of the contractors, a former FBI agent, who asked not to be identified. ?This eviscerates the investigatory function. There is little if any ability to do any oversight now.?

. . .

?In effect, no investigative function is going to be done,? said the contractor, who called the decision ?misguided.?

?This staff has saved billions and billions of dollars, we?ve turned up malfeasance and misfeasance,? the contractor said. ?It?s results justify the expense of the staff. I have no idea why the chairman would do this.?"

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001845.php

Certain really obvious reasons why the chairman did this certainly come to mind. While permanent non-contract 16 staffers are still currently still working for the commitee, somehow I don't think the firings were done since no cases of corruption in the US House of Representatives have been discovered recently and there is therefore no need for additional investigators.:roll: This clearly badly impairs the ability of the remaining investigators to effectively carry out corruption investigations and the self interest involved in this case from Congressman Lewis's perspective is quite apparent.

The way this was carried out definately seems to bear a remarkable simularity to the "Friday Night Massacre" of 1973.

Edit: Fixed the last link.

 

[techs]

Jerry Lewis is the overwhelming favorite for re-election.
Proving the Republicans have no problem with corrupt politicians.

 

[senseamp]

The only way to make sure he is no longer the House Appropriations Committee chairman in January is to throw Republicans out of power.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Aegeon
You know some House Republicans are desperate when they don't even try to be subtle about actively abusing thier power to obstruct an investigation anymore. First some background on the investigation.

Inland Rep. Jerry Lewis has paid $750,000 to a prominent Los Angeles-based law firm to handle aspects of an ongoing federal investigation into his relationship with an embattled Washington lobbying firm, newly released campaign finance records show.

Congressional rules allow tapping campaign funds for legal expenses. Neither the Redlands Republican nor the firm formerly known as Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White have been charged with wrongdoing.

But the ongoing inquiry has put drain on Lewis' campaign funds. The amount he has paid to the law firm represents 65 percent of the $1.16 million he has raised through Sept. 30...

In May, a federal grand jury subpoenaed documents from a host of Inland cities and counties as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. The subpoenas asked for billing statements and communications among Lewis, his staff, the Copeland, Lowery firm and its clients.

Two Lewis staffers have worked for the firm, and Lewis is a friend of firm partner Bill Lowery, a former San Diego-area congressman.

http://www.pe.com/elections/2006/state/...s/PE_News_Local_D_lewis19.36409cd.html

Now the latest action Lewis has taken using his power as the House Appropriations Commitee Chairman.

This evening, Congressional Quarterly reports (sub. req.) that in a round of calls Monday evening, Lewis fired 60 investigators who had worked for his committee rooting out fraud, waste and abuse, effective immediately. As in, don't bother coming in on Tuesday.

The investigators were contract workers, brought on to handle the extraordinary level of fraud investigations facing the panel. Sixteen permanent investigative staff are staying on, according to CQ. More:

"Lewis? decision ?has in fact stalled all of the investigations on the staff,? said one of the contractors, a former FBI agent, who asked not to be identified. ?This eviscerates the investigatory function. There is little if any ability to do any oversight now.?

. . .

?In effect, no investigative function is going to be done,? said the contractor, who called the decision ?misguided.?

?This staff has saved billions and billions of dollars, we?ve turned up malfeasance and misfeasance,? the contractor said. ?It?s results justify the expense of the staff. I have no idea why the chairman would do this.?"

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001845.php

Certain really obvious reasons why the chairman did this certainly come to mind. While permanent non-contract 16 staffers are still currently still working for the commitee, somehow I don't think the firings were done since no cases of corruption in the US House of Representatives have been discovered recently and there is therefore no need for additional investigators.:roll: This clearly badly impairs the ability of the remaining investigators to effectively carry out corruption investigations and the self interest involved in this case from Congressman Lewis's perspective is quite apparent.

The way this was carried out definately seems to bear a remarkable simularity to <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbar...rm/watergate/articles/102173-2.htm</a>">the "Friday Night Massacre" of 1973.</a>

For whatever reason, your "Friday Night Massacre" link doesn't work, but I'm old enough to remember most of the Watergate investigation...and after Nixon fired Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor appointed to look into the allegations, the bumper stickers on many cars were:
"Impeach the Coxsacker"...

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

I'm lost. What were the investigators investigating? It sounds like they were investigating private contractors who were defrauding the government but it doesn't really say what they were looking at.

?This staff has saved billions and billions of dollars, we?ve turned up malfeasance and misfeasance,? the contractor said. ?It?s results justify the expense of the staff. I have no idea why the chairman would do this.?

The OP seems to imply that Jerry Lewis fired the investigators who were looking into his actions but it doesn't read that way. Criminal investigations wouldn't be handled by private contractors. Are you mixing two unrelated stories together?

Edit: The firings are unrelated

House committee dismisses bulk of investigative division
Posted 10/19/2006 10:04 PM ET

By Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON ? The House Appropriations Committee has let go about 60 private contractors who made up most of an investigative unit that was auditing billions of dollars in government spending, including the $62 billion federal relief package for Hurricane Katrina, the panel's spokesman said Thursday.

The investigators, attached to the committee's Surveys and Investigations division, were released during the past week, committee spokesman John Scofield said. He said that the quality of the unit's work had been questioned by leaders of the Republican-controlled committee, including some Democrats, but he declined to say who.

The shake-up ? which leaves only 16 full-time employees in the investigative unit ? comes about a year after the Appropriations Committee's chairman, Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Calif., launched the Katrina review by saying the unit would "conduct a wide-ranging assessment and analysis of disaster spending." At the time, Lewis said the unit had a tradition of "comprehensive" reporting.

It's unclear how the departures will affect the work of the unit, whose contract staff is made up of former employees of the FBI, CIA and other government investigative services. Some of them had worked for the unit for several years. Scofield said the dismissals would not compromise any ongoing investigations. Scofield said he could not identify the specific work being done by investigators because much of the unit's inquiries involve classified information.

Robert Pearre, the unit's director, did not respond to requests for comment.

Scofield said the "pace" of the Katrina review was not as critical as the quality of the work. "There is nothing sinister here. It's about how we do the best oversight."

The committee's ranking Democrat, David Obey of Wisconsin, was in his home state and could not be reached for comment.

Established in 1943, the investigative unit has focused mainly on defense and intelligence spending programs. Its reports usually are not made public. Regarding Katrina spending, however, Lewis has said he intends to reveal the results of the committee's investigation because of "the national importance of the Katrina recovery efforts and the record amount of funds that have been appropriated."

The committee's review of Katrina spending is one of several examinations of how government relief was directed and spent after the nation's worst natural disaster.

Last year, the Justice Department launched a separate inquiry into Katrina-related incidents of alleged fraud in which dozens of people have been charged. Many were accused of filing fraudulent claims of property damage in order to get thousands of dollars in government relief checks.

Contributing: Kathy Kiely

Nice try OP.

Another textbook example of why blogs aren't news. The investigators weren't looking at Lewis or his coimmittee. They look at contractors that defraud the military and fraudulent Katrina claims.

 

[Craig234]

For whatever reason, your "Friday Night Massacre" link doesn't work, but I'm old enough to remember most of the Watergate investigation...and after Nixon fired Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor appointed to look into the allegations, the bumper stickers on many cars were:
"Impeach the Coxsacker"...

His AG resigned rather than carry out the order, to his credit. The #2 resigned rather than carry out the order, to his credit.

Finally, Nixon found someone with the low scruples he needed to do the dirty work, Robert Bork.

Not exactly a thankless task, though, as he was rewarded with a Supreme Court nomination.

The democrats, to their credit, protected the nation from the radical, misguided Bork, and the republicans' response was to whine and try for 'revenge' for decades.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Craig234

For whatever reason, your "Friday Night Massacre" link doesn't work, but I'm old enough to remember most of the Watergate investigation...and after Nixon fired Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor appointed to look into the allegations, the bumper stickers on many cars were:
"Impeach the Coxsacker"...

His AG resigned rather than carry out the order, to his credit. The #2 resigned rather than carry out the order, to his credit.

Finally, Nixon found someone with the low scruples he needed to do the dirty work, Robert Bork.

Not exactly a thankless task, though, as he was rewarded with a Supreme Court nomination.

The democrats, to their credit, protected the nation from the radical, misguided Bork, and the republicans' response was to whine and try for 'revenge' for decades.

For someone who is so concerned with setting the record straight, you don't seem too interested in my pointing out that the OP is complete and utter bullshit.

 

[Aegeon]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Another textbook example of why blogs aren't news. The investigators weren't looking at Lewis or his coimmittee. They look at contractors that defraud the military and fraudulent Katrina claims.

Not quite. The investigators have BROAD AUTHORITY with Katrina being ONE element of what they are investigating in general. What Lewis is involved with definately could either be something that the investigators are currently investigating, or something where Lewis is strongly concerned that key evidence will be unearthed against him that could be used in the federal probe as the result of the Katrina investigation or other investigative work.

Congressional Quarterly, which is definately not a blog, has a different take of the firing. So far we've seen the spin from the spokesman of the committee spokesman for a Republican controlled committee, but not the Democratic response. Note that what the spokesman actually said was that the quality of the investigation have been questioned by some Democrats on the Committee, not that the Democrats actually wanted all the contract investigators to be fired.

 

[International Machine Consortium]

Nice try whoozerdaddy....

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Aegeon

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Another textbook example of why blogs aren't news. The investigators weren't looking at Lewis or his coimmittee. They look at contractors that defraud the military and fraudulent Katrina claims.

Not quite. The investigators have BROAD AUTHORITY with Katrina being ONE element of what they are investigating in general. What Lewis is involved with definately could either be something that the investigators are currently investigating, or something where Lewis is strongly concerned that key evidence will be unearthed against him that could be used in the federal probe as the result of the Katrina investigation or other investigative work.

Congressional Quarterly, which is definately not a blog, has a different take of the firing. So far we've seen the spin from the spokesman of the committee spokesman for a Republican controlled committee, but not the Democratic response. Note that what the spokesman actually said was that the quality of the investigation have been questioned by some Democrats on the Committee, not that the Democrats actually wanted all the contract investigators to be fired.

Lewis is under investigation but NOT by the people he fired. Read the link. You're combining two unrelated events into one in an attempt to give the appearance that Lewis fired people who were investigating him. That is simply not true.

Nobody was investigating the comittee as you claimed. The fired contractors were charged with rooting out fraud by government contractors. Nice try at limiting what I said the contractors were charged to investigate. Katrina fraud was only one component of what they do. They look into pretty much anything related to government money including (but not limited to) military contracts, government insurance programs, government construction projects and other areas where tons of money is spent with contractors.

Simply put, you are wrong. Whether it's because you didn't take the time to read what you posted or becuase you are deliberately trying to manufacture another scandal log to throw on the fire, I don't know. But you are 100% wrong to imply that Lewis fired the investigators that are looking into his relationship with the Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White lobbying firm. That investigation continues.

 

[Aegeon]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
But you are 100% wrong to imply that Lewis fired the investigators that are looking into his relationship with the Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White lobbying firm. That investigation continues.

Actually we don't know about that for sure one way or the other although we can speculate. Its true that the investigators who were fired are currently not publically known to be investigating Lewis. However, part of the duty of the investigators was definately to investigate the committee along with other members of congress, although generally this may be an internal report for the congressmen to read. Undoutedly the investigators are looking at other things, but it could be they were close to implicating Lewis's links to Lowery. For instance, a South Californian company, or even a Southern Calfornia company that ultimately defrauded the government, could have gone through Lowery to win a Katrina related contract and the interaction between Lowery and Lewis may have clearly occured in an illegal manner if the details are sufficiently investigated. Once the committee uncovered enough evidence of illegal activities that information WOULD likely be brought to the group specifically investigating Lewis right now. Jerry Lewis may have decided to premptively stop the investigation before they could uncover enough of that information when he realized where the investigation was going.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Aegeon

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
But you are 100% wrong to imply that Lewis fired the investigators that are looking into his relationship with the Copeland, Lowery, Jacquez, Denton & White lobbying firm. That investigation continues.

Actually we don't know about that for sure one way or the other although we can speculate. Its true that the investigators are currently not publically known to be investigating Lewis. However, part of the duty of the investigators was definately to investigate the committee along with other members of congress, although generally this may be an internal report for the congressmen to read. Undoutedly the investigators are looking at other things, but it could be they were close to implicating Lewis's links to Lowery. For instance, a South Californian company, or even a Southern Calfornia company that ultimately defrauded the government, could have gone through Lowery to win a Katrina related contract and the interaction between Lowery and Lewis may have clearly occured in an illegal manner if the details are sufficiently investigated. Once the committee uncovered enough evidence of illegal activities that information WOULD likely be brought to commitee specifically investigating Lewis right now. Jerry Lewis may have decided to premptively stop the investigation before they could uncover enough of that information when he realized where the investigation was going.

Thanks. That's probably as close as I'll get to an admission of being wrong. Certainly a far different tune than:

You know some House Republicans are desperate when they don't even try to be subtle about actively abusing thier power to obstruct an investigation anymore.

and

and the self interest involved in this case from Congressman Lewis's perspective is quite apparent.

 

[Aegeon]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Thanks. That's probably as close as I'll get to an admission of being wrong. Certainly a far different tune than

I still hold with my original comments. Given the record of House Republicans I'm not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt anymore. I suppose I could be surprised and he's actually protecting other House Republicans with his action, but I really can't see an acceptable reason for the timing of the firing of the 60 investigators. This is clearly about political protection either of Jerry Lewis specifically, or at least House Republicans in general by ensuring that damaging investigative conclusions won't be reached before the election.

 

[Polish3d]

Originally posted by: techs
Jerry Lewis is the overwhelming favorite for re-election.
Proving the Republicans have no problem with corrupt politicians.

"The difference between Viet Nam and Iraq is, Bush, Jr. knew how to get out of Viet Nam. "

LOL! Pretty funny

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Frackal

Originally posted by: techs
Jerry Lewis is the overwhelming favorite for re-election.
Proving the Republicans have no problem with corrupt politicians.

"The difference between Viet Nam and Iraq is, Bush, Jr. knew how to get out of Viet Nam. "

LOL! Pretty funny

I stole it from another post.
But it IS darn funny!!!

 

[Aegeon]

And evidence surfaces that unsuprisingly the House Appropriations spokesman was misleading the public when he implied Democrats approved of the firing...

In a comment to Congressional Quarterly, Lewis spokesman John Scofield said the firings came because of a "bipartisan review" of the investigative unit. The review, he said, was supported by Rep. David Obey (D-WI), the top Democrat on the committee.

But an anonymous Democratic spokesman told ThinkProgress today that the firings were not okayed by Obey or other Democratic members of the committee. In fact, they weren't even consulted, he said.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001847.php

A tad more info from the ThinkProgress Story.

Lewis? spokesman yesterday tried to portray the suspensions as part of a bipartisan review that occured with the support of the committee?s ranking member Rep. David Obey (D-WI):

Committee spokesman John Scofield said Thursday that the contracts were not renewed because the panel is conducting a ?bipartisan review? of the unit?s staff.

?Frankly, the work we?ve been getting as of late has not been that good,? Scofield said. ?There is nothing sinister going on.?

Scofield said the review has the backing of ranking Democratic House appropriator David R. Obey of Wisconsin.

But a press spokesman tells ThinkProgress that while the minority agreed there were problems with the investigative staff that had to be addressed, committee Democrats had not been consulted prior to the suspension of the investigators. The spokesman said that oversight of the Appropriations Committee, which manages Congress? annual spending of $900 billion, has become an increasingly severe problem, and that Rep. Obey had been involved in a review to improve the effectiveness of the committee investigators. But, the spokesman said, the decision to stop all contract operations was made without consultation from committee Democrats.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/20/lewis-obey/

 

[Fern]

Looks guys, its beyond very silly to have the investigators acting under the authority of the person they are investigating.

Think about it for a moment.

If that were actually the case it should be a bigger scandel than his firing the investigators working him that are investigating him. That's tooo stupid.

Fern

 

[Aegeon]

Originally posted by: Fern
Looks guys, its beyond very silly to have the investigators acting under the authority of the person they are investigating.

Think about it for a moment.

If that were actually the case it should be a bigger scandel than his firing the investigators working him that are investigating him. That's tooo stupid.

Fern

This happens ALL THE TIME in Congress. They probably were investigating something that Jerry Lewis realized would eventually incriminate him, although the investigators may not have fully realized Jerry Lewis's role at this point.

Can you honestly come up with a plausible acceptable reason for Jerry Lewis to have fired all the contract investigators without consulting with the Democrats in the committe at all first? The action seems clearly designed to protect Republicans anyway you slice it (either himself or other Republicans in the House). He certainly could have waited until Congress was back in session and consulted with the full committee if it was merely a change in the investigative approach being used.