EDITORIAL: DeLay, Blunt engaged in a convoluted money scheme
EDITORIAL: DeLay, Blunt engaged in a convoluted money scheme
The Lufkin Daily News
Friday, October 07, 2005
We have no idea if former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is guilty of money laundering. The Hammer, as he is not-so-affectionately known, was indicted by a Travis County grand jury for funneling illegal donations from corporations to GOP political candidate in Texas elections.
What is clear is that both DeLay and Roy Blunt, who became majority leader when DeLay was forced to step down because of House rules, were engaged in a convoluted scheme to divert donations.
According to the Associated Press, both DeLay and Blunt diverted donations secretly collected to help fund Republican political convention parties to some of their own pet causes, often funneling money back and forth. In one case, money raised by DeLay's political-action committee was used to help Blunt's son in his successful campaign to become Missouri secretary of state. There are a number of other examples where money donated for one purpose was then transferred to another committee or campaign, and the donors were never told.
The government's former chief election enforcement lawyer, Lawrence Noble, said it's clear the intent was to "obscure, if not cover, the original source," according to the AP.
Indicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff was also involved in this carousel of money-swapping. Investigator are trying to determine exactly who paid for a high-dollar golfing trip to Scotland and England that Abramoff arranged for DeLay in 2000.
Both Blunt and DeLay formed entities that would allow them to collect funds of any size and from any source without federal scrutiny. It was legal at the time but illustrates the pervasive nature of money in modern politics. For example, in 2000 DeLay's convention group sent $50,000 to Blunt's entity. Blunt's group then made a $10,000 to DeLay's children's charity and eventually paid $40,000 to a lobbying firm run by DeLay's former chief of staff. DeLay's wife worked at that lobbying firm, according to the AP.
Whether DeLay is convicted or not, Republicans would be wise to distance themselves from such convoluted money dealings. DeLay's fundraising tactics have often danced along the edge of what's ethical and legal, but his ability to get folks elected — especially in Texas — kept him in power. Certainly now, he's more of a liability than an asset to the GOP's hopes of keeping control of the House after next year's elections.
We've about given up on any type of realistic way of limiting campaign funding. Politicians in both parties just find more creative ways to get around whatever law is in place. About the best we can hope for is an increased demand for full, instant disclosure of all donations. That's certainly possible with the Internet. It will be up to the media and political watchdogs to make sure voters — and donors — know exactly how to follow the money trail.