FBI Searches Home of Congressman’s Daughter: Business Ties Investigated
EmailFederal agents searched the home of Rep. Curt Weldon’s daughter today, as part of an investigation into whether the congressman improperly used his influence to help her get a contract, sources tell ABC News.
Agents collected evidence at Karen Weldon’s home in Pennsylvania as well as at the home of Charlie Sexton, her business associate and a longtime friend of the congressman.
The FBI also searched the offices of their lobbying firm, Solutions North America, and the Jacksonville, Fla., offices of Itera Energy, a Russian energy firm.
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Rep. Weldon (R-PA) has denied any wrongdoing.
Investigators are looking for any dealings he may have had with Solutions North America or Itera Energy.
The investigation was first requested by the activist group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which sent a letter to the Justice Department in 2004.
In the letter, CREW alleged that Rep. Weldon used his position to assist foreign companies for which his daughter was a lobbyist. CREW says those companies included a Russian aerospace manufacturer and a Russian natural gas company.
Rep. Weldon has long been involved in Russian issues and has many contacts in the Russian business community.
He is locked in a tight race for reelection.
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CREW says on their blog that a Grand Jury has been investigating Rep. Weldon since May, a fact Weldon could have revealed much earlier if he had wanted to. Another senior Republican on the House Armed Service Committee was Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA), currently serving time in federal prison.
Russian money was also a factor in the Abramoff scandal, with a $1 million from Russian sources being laundered through a non-profit Abramoff founded to promote faith and values. The Christian Right doesn’t seem to mind in the least that a non-profit founded to promote their agenda was used for money-laundering.
P.S. It’s very unfortunate the FBI has to devote so much of their resources to investigating Republican scandals.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2006, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
The LA Times reported as far back as February 20, 2004, that Karen Weldon received “consulting” contracts with Serbian firms. Curt Weldon needs to get real. I mean, his influence and expertise in all things Eastern Europe and Russian, a daughter receiving large contracts, need I go on.
Clearly, we are seeing Curt Weldon’s arrogance at its finest.
Posted by: gus | October 17, 2006, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm
Get rid of the lobbyists altogether, they should be outlawed period!
Posted by: Dave | October 17, 2006, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
The only alternative to lobbyists is publicly financing of Congressional campaigns for those members of Congress who wish to accept it – in which case they can’t accept private contributions. Considering the cost of bribery and corruption in Congress, public financing of campaigns is a very worthwhile idea.
Posted by: Chris Baker | October 17, 2006, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
Hey Chris, The FBI is investigating democrats also dude.
Posted by: sport | October 18, 2006, 11:01 am 11:01 am