A Real Fishing Expedition
The FBI has shifted its investigation into Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), looking at legislative activity sponsored by the Alaskan that may have benefitted his son. They have focused on a number of earmarks that Stevens requested that served Alaska's fishing industry, which returned the favor by hiring Ben Stevens as a consultant. In fact, the younger Stevens sold himself as a conduit for federal pork:
Federal authorities investigating Sen. Ted Stevens are trolling the Alaska fishing industry for evidence of whether the powerful Republican pushed seafood legislation that benefited his lobbyist son.So far, the most public aspect of the investigation was the FBI raid on Stevens' home in July, with agents seeking evidence of the senator's relationship with a corrupt Alaska oil contractor.
But authorities have also quietly amassed evidence about fishing. ...
But Victor Smith, a fisherman and critic of Ben Stevens, gave the FBI a taped phone conversation that he said proves otherwise. In the 2005 conversation, Smith called the seiners group's board member Bryan Benkman to discuss why funding was stuck in the federal bureaucracy even after the earmark passed.
Both men expressed disappointment in Ben Stevens and Smith asked why he was hired. Benkman replied that the younger Stevens recalled his success getting the crab buyback passed and pitched himself as a conduit to his father.
"He said, 'Hey, see I've got a program. You know, I've got this one to my credit. Hire me, you know, I'll get Dad to fund you guys, too," Benkman said.
The FBI has apparently narrowed their probe to some large-scale pork. Three programs brought Alaska almost $200 million over the last few years, all with connections back to Ben Stevens. A federal loan program to buy back crab boats and boost prices gained Ben a consultant gig with an industry group that campaigned for the program. Thirty million dollars went to start the Alaska Fisheries Marketing Board, which promptly made Ben its first chair -- where he authorized grants to his consultancy customers. A trade association of salmon fishers hired Ben's company to lobby for a $50 million buyback loan program, although the younger Stevens claimed that his partner did the actual lobbying.
As fishing expeditions go, this one may land more pork than perch. The FBI has the sharks circling the Stevens', and statements such as those on the tape may be enough to sink the popular porkmaster. With a couple more witnesses like Smith, or at least a couple more tapes, the feds will be able to reel in the Stevenses.
Regardless of whether the FBI can prove corruption, these cases demonstrate clearly that pork corrodes the process of government. When our elected representatives place themselves in positions to have themselves or their families directly benefit from their legislative activities, it becomes a gross conflict of interest. That's true whether the Senator is Ted Stevens or Harry Reid. The porkers put their own pecuniary interests ahead of the fiscal responsibilities of the nation, and the only productivity we get is in the industry of rationalization.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on October 30, 2007 3:56 PM | Comments (21) | TrackBacks (0)
Comments (21)
Posted by Laddy | October 30, 2007 4:48 PM
While I'm certainly in favor of catching all the crooks regardless of party, where's the investigations of Democrats like Murtha, Feinstein, Pelosi, etc.? It seems we only hear of the investigations involving Republicans.
Posted by Angry Dumbo | October 30, 2007 5:35 PM
I'm proud a Republican. Stevens doesn't change that. Pork knows no bounds. Stevens is ready for the set of golf clubs. Retire now.
Posted by the tapper | October 30, 2007 5:50 PM
Laddy, you are spot on. Look at the messes the Dems and like liberals are in and nothing in the media to say they are even being investigated, God forbid we call a spade a spade, but we can say if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it must be a duck.....stay well....
Posted by flenser | October 30, 2007 5:56 PM
I'll take the FBI seriously when they start investigating Reid and Byrd.
The FBI has apparently narrowed their probe to some large-scale pork.
As far as I can tell, they have narrowed it to large scale Republican pork. No Democrats need lose a minutes sleep.
"He said, 'Hey, see I've got a program. You know, I've got this one to my credit. Hire me, you know, I'll get Dad to fund you guys, too," Benkman said.
Good luck getting a conviction on that anywhere outside of a Fitzgerald jury.
Posted by LamontP | October 30, 2007 6:09 PM
The country cannot afford any flavor of pork, Republican or Democrat. Not with high deficits and a weakening currency.
Perhaps the worst type of pork is the Rep Young variety - an earmark for the farthest state from his own in return for a campaign contribution. Maybe the people of Alaska think they are benefitting from bridges to nowhere, payments to friends and family, and favors done to contractors in other states.
The problem is that these Alaskan-sponsored earmarks have been happening for years and no one in Congress has been able to say "no".
Posted by BD | October 30, 2007 6:27 PM
I have no problem with the feds going after Stevens if he's used our money to benefit his buddies.
Now go after the likes of Murtha too.
Posted by Sam Pender | October 30, 2007 6:51 PM
Murtha? Anyone? Anyone? Has anyone seen Jack Murtha's earmark...the one for the company that doesn't exist? Anyone?
Posted by gene | October 30, 2007 6:51 PM
I just read where Murtha has gotten over two billion for his contributors over a few years. Where's the investigation?
Posted by j | October 30, 2007 7:33 PM
I agree with the comments above - go after the Dems, too. Reid has done all kinds of land deals that have benefited his four kids.
It's time for Stevens to retire. Sarah Palin, the gov of AK who took on the Murkowski machine and won, is absolutely first rate. She cleaned up the "good old boys" of the pipeline and is working on other messes with favors. She has publicly stated that AK must learn to live without Federal handouts - gee, what a novel concept.
Stevens retire, have Palin appoint someone trustworthy, and go forward.
Still, go after Dems, too.
Posted by Carol Herman | October 30, 2007 7:36 PM
Oh, up at Drudge is a headline that Ralph Nader is suing the DNC, for interfering with his ability to get on the ballot in all 50 states.
My mom used to have an expression, that any idiot with a few bucks could sue; but winnning would be a different matter.
Oh, he's also suing, in Oregon, because he says John Kerry's supporters interrupted a "signature gathering" event. (So, I guess he thinks Oregon is a good place to find supportive judges?)
It's Nader's task to prove, I guess, that Kerry benefitted from this stuff. Because Kerry didn't win. And, neither did Nader.
Lots of Americans will be surprised at how DC works, though.
And, it's possible there will be a whole legal "niche" ... where politicians go and hire counsel. "Specialists."
As if Baker, Botts didn't grow rich on connections. (Cough. Cough.)
By the way, in Congress, do you think anything passes ... that isn't handled by the lead "chairs?" Hmm? It's not as if the senate is a bank. And, you walk in wearing a mask, shouting out: "Hands Up."
Maybe, where you see the F.B.I. "functioning" ... I just see a bunch of badge holders making a bet. Figuring out where the best place is to make career moves.
As to who is suing whom ... As long as there are lawyers ... Expect "suing" to be good business. While keeping "money in your freezer" is stupid. How do you defrost it in a hurry, when you need some cash?
Posted by Edward Brown | October 30, 2007 9:02 PM
As an Alaskan voter and constituent I doubt if Ted Stevens would throw away his political career over such allegations. Will still vote for him though. He brings home the bacon for our small state. And besides that he has been there since before statehood.
The statehood compact voted on was with the USA so this state would be able to use its natural resources to pay for its state government. Whenever there is a vote for opening ANWAR that denies this development. The so called pork is a political payback for a senior senator taking it on the chin because our states oil competes with other domestic oils. We will continue to send TED back as long as your states delegation votes against oil from ANWAR.
Have your senators and reprasenatives vote Anwar through and we Alaskans will not need so called pork and bridges to no where.
Posted by heather | October 30, 2007 11:56 PM
as a Yukoner (sitting beside Alaska), I absolutely agree with Edward Brown. Ted Stevens had done a lot of good for the State of Alaska. McCain made a big deal about the "Shakwak Project" too. Years ago, a previous Prime Minister of Canada built a "road to nowhere", up to Inuvik to the Arctic Ocean. I guess to the folks in the temperate zones, putting money into assets Up North is just "pork." Well, you're wrong, and short sighted.
Also I think it is 'odd' that Stevens is getting it in the neck while the Dems are running Congress (I know, I know, the FBI is "independent" and "non political")...
Posted by JEM | October 31, 2007 1:06 AM
That'd be the next Coburn amendment: mandating that any earmark include funding for the requisite FBI investigation of said earmark's recipient and recipient's minions and flunkies...
Posted by Bill Maron | October 31, 2007 6:21 AM
So Edward Brown, that rebate from the state isn't big enough for you?
Posted by dave rywall | October 31, 2007 7:04 AM
Thanks for covering both sides of the pork, Ed.
It's totally unsurprising (and unfortunate) that some posters miss the point entirely:
" where's the investigations of Democrats like Murtha, Feinstein, Pelosi, etc.? It seems we only hear of the investigations involving Republicans." - Laddy
"Look at the messes the Dems and like liberals are in and nothing in the media to say they are even being investigated" -the tapper
"I'll take the FBI seriously when they start investigating Reid and Byrd." -flenser
"Murtha? Anyone? Anyone? Has anyone seen Jack Murtha's earmark...the one for the company that doesn't exist? Anyone?" -Sam Pender
"I just read where Murtha has gotten over two billion for his contributors over a few years. Where's the investigation?' -Gene
"I agree with the comments above - go after the Dems, too" -J
OMFG you people are unbelievable.
READ THIS AND START OBJECTING TO ALL PORK BARRELLING:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/015623.php
Posted by MarkD | October 31, 2007 7:16 AM
Dave,
Would you think I missed the point if I said "Go after them all?"
I'm a conservative. As long as this money gets sent to Washington, this sort of stuff is going to happen. If it stays at the state level, the citizens have some control. Worst case, they can vote with their feet.
Posted by dave rywall | October 31, 2007 8:29 AM
MarkD - No, saying "go after them all" means you get the point 100% and you give a shit about the real issue.
Posted by Laddy | October 31, 2007 9:17 AM
Rywall, did you miss the first statement in my post where I said I was in favor of going after all of them regardless of party? It takes a really careless person to selectively quote me and then accuse me of not being for doing something when I stated upfront I was. Most, if not all, of us are objecting to the FBI's pursuit of Republicans and the apparent kid glove treatment being given to the Democrats for the same issue, corruption. With or without earmarks, corruption will exist. I doubt if any of us are in favor of pork barrel spending and corruptive earmarks, so it would probably behoove you to not be so sanctimonious about your own views and in dismissing the views of the rest of us. OM*G, indeed.
Posted by Ed | October 31, 2007 9:37 AM
Reid?
WTF? Why do you mention "Harry Reid" in your post? Reid's name isn't mentioned anywhere in the news story.
C'mon, Capt.
I expect better from you. It's not like you're RedState or LGF. I expect some intellectual honesty from you.
Posted by Captain Ed | October 31, 2007 9:42 AM
Ed,
Do a search on Reid and Las Vegas on this blog. Learn a couple of items. The Los Angeles Times has done a good job showing the same kind of shenanigans in Reid's office as in Stevens.
Posted by Edward Brown | October 31, 2007 11:09 PM
Capatain ED, enjoy your blogs open discussions. Am not really surprised at others allegations being glossed over. Alaska,s physical size Betcha we have twice as much oil as Texas too. I have personally worked in areas where oil is bubbling up out of the ground.Exxon also has oil capped off just offshore of our state. Let us develop oil and gas and we will compete in an open market. FERC is not an Alaska friend either.
We have less than 700,000 in population and it is hard enough to be taken serious when we get a divedend. $1,650 dollars does not buy much these days. We pay 2 to 3 times as much for airfare and pay a lot to heat our home when we have 7 month long winters. The real pay off is not having a state income tax.
We have more trouble from the oil companies in developing our gas and oil. 18 years later Exxon has still not payed up on their oil spill judgement. And even though some of our state legislators have been recently convicted, there is no known investigation on oil companies influence buying yet either. The oil companies are more interested in their oil developments elsewhere.
Something for the Lower 48 Staters to think about. During the time Alaska was bought from Russia, check out the fact that Russians sold the area where Ft. Ross near San Fracisco. They sold it to Sutter of California Gold fame for $30,000. The Russians were looking for more fur to harvest on the west coast after they depleted Alaskas fur. In other words the Russians were exploring the western americas then too.
Ear marks are the only currency we have to not develop our resources. I would rather our state develop our "own earmark money". With or without the oil companies blessing. Then at least the politicians would be less likely to submit to such influece peddling.