ABC NEWS INVESTIGATION: Lack of Scrutiny Breeds Scandal Among State Lawmakers
ABC News
ABC NEWS INVESTIGATION: Lack of Scrutiny Breeds Scandal Among State Lawmakers
An ABC News Investigation Finds A Lack of Scrutiny Breeds Scandal Among State Lawmakers
By MATTHEW MOSK
Oct. 18, 2010
An ABC News investigation has found that corporate interests and their lobbyists are increasingly turning to state legislatures for lucrative contracts and favorable regulations, a dynamic that has bred a string of unsavory political scandals in state capitals around the nation. At least 80 state legislators have been... [continue]
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THE SERIES
THE SERIES
New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt was convicted of bribery and extortion for taking an envelope stuffed with $10,000 from a developer-turned-FBI informant in exchange for environmental permits. The bribe was captured on undercover video in 2009. In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Van Pelt maintained his innocence, saying he took the money as a consulting fee. On November 19, he was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
Caught On Tape: New Jersey Pol Takes $10K Bribe In exclusive interview, Daniel Van Pelt insists he's innocent.
On July 27, ABC News caught up with four Alabama state legislators and a gaming lobbyist on the Persimmon Ridge golf course in Louisville, Kentucky. The lawmakers were attending the annual convention of the National Conference of State Legislatures in downtown Louisville, but opted for a round of golf instead of a seminar on good government. When asked about his decision to go golfing, State Rep. Artis McCampbell threatened to hit a reporter with his golf club.
Caught on Tape: A Lobbyist's Golf Party for Lawmakers Alabama Bingo scandal brought on by loose laws, critics say.
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A Top Ten Of Badly Behaved Lawmakers Spanking, bra-stuffing and stealing at the state house.
Sarah Palin Rode Alaska Scandal To Political Stardom For prosecutors and outsiders, scandal can be springboard to higher office.
Nearly two decades ago, a hidden camera caught Arizona state representative Bobby Raymond telling an undercover agent,
Caught on Tape: Massive Arizona Sting Forced Reforms Arizona and two other states adopted public funding to fight corruption.
An Alabama state senator who went to the FBI two years ago to blow the whistle on corruption in the legislature says the indictments this week of four colleagues and a group of lobbyists is a
Mr. Sanford Goes to Montgomery BBQ chef elected to senate calls arrests of state legislators 'dream come true.'
Five student journalists conducted an investigation of America's state legislatures for ABC News, and found that at least 80 state lawmakers had been indicted or convicted in the past five years.
Top Federal Prosecutor Vows Crackdown On Corrupt State Legislators An ABC News investigation finds more than 80 indictments.
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Students Investigate Drugs in the Military, Death on the Job, Child Labor, Politicians Carnegie partnership with investigative team has 34 alums across the world.
New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt was convicted of bribery and extortion for taking an envelope stuffed with $10,000 from a developer-turned-FBI informant in exchange for environmental permits. The bribe was captured on undercover video in 2009. In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Van Pelt maintained his innocence, saying he took the money as a consulting fee. On November 19, he was sentenced to 41 months in prison.
Jersey Pol Gets 41 Months For On-Camera Bribe Daniel Van Pelt was caught on tape taking $10,000 envelope from developer.
On July 27, ABC News caught up with four Alabama state legislators and a gaming lobbyist on the Persimmon Ridge golf course in Louisville, Kentucky. The lawmakers were attending the annual convention of the National Conference of State Legislatures in downtown Louisville, but opted for a round of golf instead of a seminar on good government. When asked about his decision to go golfing, State Rep. Artis McCampbell threatened to hit a reporter with his golf club.
Alabama Lawmakers Meet To Weigh Reform Of 'Outrageous' Lobbying Laws After gambling scandal, Gov. Riley wants toughest ethics rules in the country.
Nightline Investigation: State Legislature Corruption
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Reporting Team
  • Chief Investigative Correspondent: Brian Ross
  • Chief Investigative Producer: Rhonda Schwartz
  • Producers: Matthew Mosk, Angela M. Hill, Asa Eslocker
  • Managing Editor: Mark Schone
  • Digital Producer: Megan Chuchmach
  • 2010 Carnegie Fellows: Liz Day, Dan Lieberman, Kevin Morris, Alyssa Newcomb, Nadia Sussman
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