Vote for the Top Scandal of 2011

Blog

May 18, 2012

In outrageous fashion, the House Ethics Committee noticed a public meeting to consider proposed amendments to the Committee…

May 16, 2012

Anonymity of Different Kind

The U.S. is a top destination of corrupt officials for setting up shell companies. CREW and others sent…

Scandals & Scoundrels

Media Center

Press Releases CREW in the News

May 09, 2012

House Ethics Committee: Rep. Buchanan is Still Under Investigation

May 08, 2012

CREW and Others Renew Call for Congress to Investigate Murdoch’s FCC Licenses

May 03, 2012

CREW Congratulates April’s Scoundrel of the Month: the Senate Ethics Committee

May 02, 2012

Court Upholds CREW’s Right to Sue SEC Over Destruction of Investigative Files

April 23, 2012

CREW Responds to Letter Regarding Investigation of Rep. Don Young

May 19, 2012 | Bloomberg Businessweek

Army Purchases of $17,000 Pans Tied to Kentucky Lawmaker
May 18, 2012 | The New York Times

Earmark Puts $17,000 Pans on Army Craft
May 15, 2012 | Politico

John Edwards defense: Justice Department flip-flopped
May 16, 2012 | Bradenton Herald

Watchdog group calls for Buchanan to resign
May 3, 2012 | The Telegraph

US Senate asks Leveson for any evidence of illegal activity by News Corp


		Sexy & I Know It: In a bipartisan effort, Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY), Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY), and Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) proved that politicians just can’t stay out of trouble.

		Deadbeat Congressman: Self-proclaimed fiscal conservative Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) says he’s worried “expanding government…will bankrupt our children and grandchildren,” so he’s decided to bankrupt his children on his own. According to a lawsuit filed by his ex-wife, Rep. Walsh owes her more than $117,000 in child support.

		Eric Cantor (R-Wall Street): Why does Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) deride Occupy Wall Street protesters as “growing mobs” while describing Tea Partiers as part of an “organic movement?” It’s all about the money.

		Cash for Clunker: The only “green” aspect of the Obama administration’s loan to solar company Solyndra was the cash the administration handed out to the company. Despite evidence the company wasn’t ready for primetime, the administration hammered the loan through anyway.

		Shred Everything Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) instituted an illegal policy of destroying records related to preliminary investigations of financial firms, despite federal laws requiring the SEC to hold on to its records for 25 years.

		Big Rupert is Watching You: Journalists working for Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. got their salacious scoops, not through in-depth reporting, but by hacking into the cell phones of murdered children, and families of terror victims and dead soldiers – and police let them get away with it for years.

		PACs Americana: The impact of the Supreme Court’s disastrous 2010 Citizens United decision grew in 2011, with wealthy special interests taking advantage of new loopholes to funnel ever-increasing amounts of money into elections.

		Investigating the Investigators: In 2011, the extent to which the House Ethics Committee botched the investigation of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) came to light. Bowing to public pressure, the committee hired outside counsel to investigate its own actions.

		The Little Agency that Can't: The president and members of Congress are sitting idly by as the Federal Election Commission (FEC) guts the nation’s disclosure laws and deadlocks on an unprecedented number of actions.

		Rolling in the Dough: Former presidential candidate Herman Cain tried to present himself as a different kind of candidate, but in the end, he turned out to be a walking, talking scandal, from the misuse of campaign funds to accusations of sexual harassment.

		Indecent Disclosure: It would be quicker to name enforcement agencies that aren’t investigating Rep. David Rivera (R-FL) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) than to name the ones that are – but somehow, they’re still in office instead of under indictment.

		The House (and Senate) Always Wins: Congress makes decisions that affect the stock market, and members often are privy to information affecting stock prices before the general public. In the corporate world, trading on such information is called insider trading. In Congress, it is business as usual.

		Scott Walker: Watcha Gonna Do When He Comes for You?: Fourteen Democratic members of the Wisconsin state Senate went into hiding in an effort to suppress a controversial proposal. In response, Gov. Walker, a Republican, sent state troopers to locate the Senate Democrats.

Top Scandals 2011

Voter Information

Blog

Scandals & Scoundrels

Media Center

Army Purchases of $17,000 Pans Tied to Kentucky Lawmaker

Earmark Puts $17,000 Pans on Army Craft

John Edwards defense: Justice Department flip-flopped

Watchdog group calls for Buchanan to resign

US Senate asks Leveson for any evidence of illegal activity by News Corp