Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Charlie Justice Statement on Bill Young's Announcement to Run Again


"A huge sigh of relief is being heard from the special-interest lobbyists who fuel Congressman Bill Young's campaigns with contributions in return for questionable earmarks that have become symbolic of everything that is wrong with Washington.

Young has presided over decades of irresponsible spending and misguided policies that have hurt Florida families. While most Floridians struggle to stay afloat, Congressman Young has voted in lock-step with Republican naysayers who seem bent on ignoring the very real problems faced by Florida families and small businesses.

Proving how out-of-touch he is with the community, Congressman Young will actually brag about the 40 years of out-of-control pork-spending he is responsible for.

Over the course of the next ten months I will present my bold vision to improve the lives of all the residents of Pinellas County for the future and fight to bring new jobs and industries to our community, creating new opportunities for our families and small business right here at home.

Since our community first elected me to public office I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight for the hard working families of Pinellas County. Because we need to make sure the values of our community are defended, I plan on taking my experience and continuing that fight as the next Representative of the 10th Congressional District."

Rubio Refuses to Stand By His Words As Republican Ethics Implosion Continues


As the ethics implosion of the Florida Republican Party continues, GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio refuses to meet the same standards of accountability he effused from the campaign stump, illustrated by a Web video released by the Florida Democratic Party today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHAwL1M67w8
On the campaign trail, the former lobbyist strongly advocated accountability in government and Florida taxpayers holding their elected official accountable. But as revelations continue about Florida Republican leaders' ethics scandals - specifically questions about former House Speaker Ray Sansom's budget dealings - Rubio called questions on the issue a "distraction." [Rotary Luncheon, 12/7/09, Tampa; Marco Rubio, Miami Herald 1/28/10]

Now it appears as if Rubio is trying to avoid ever testifying on the record about his knowledge of Sansom's dealings and Attorney General Bill McCollum's refusal to investigate the State GOP's practice of giving legislators credit cards means Rubio may yet dodge the accountability for which he previously advocated.

"What does a politician-turned-lobbyist-turned-politician like Speaker Rubio do when he advocates accountability and then gets questions about his own potential involvement in or knowledge of allegedly shady dealings? He gets his political cronies to make sure he doesn't face the same accountability he preaches for other politicians," Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party spokesman said.

Young Inc a $118 Million Business

From Charlie Justice:


YOUNG, INC.

Former Staff And Family of Rep. Young Benefit from $118 Million In Taxpayers’ Money From Young Earmarks

Young Steers $45 Million Of Taxpayers’ Money to Young, Inc. Clients In Just 4 Years; $73 Million Earmarked for Employers of Young’s Sons

St. Petersburg, FL - February 19, 2010 – Congressman Bill Young has steered more than $118 million in taxpayers’ money to the direct and indirect benefit of his children, daughter-in-law and former staff members.

Along the way, Young has taken $386,000 in campaign cash from the clients of his former staffers.

“This is just wrong,” said Charlie Justice. “Congressman Bill Young treats the federal budget like his personal piggy bank. Since 2005, Bill Young has steered $45 million in taxpayers’ money to his daughter-in-law and former members of his staff. In addition, the employers of his sons have received $73 million in earmarks placed in the budget by their father. At the same time, Young has taken $386,000 in campaign cash from the clients of his former staff.”

Justice, a Florida state senator who is running against Young, said the congressman’s campaign account should be called, “Young, Incorporated.”

“At a time when families and small businesses in Pinellas County are struggling to make ends meet, Bill Young and his friends and family are living the high life at the taxpayers’ expense,” Justice said. “When I see this kind of abuse of trust I completely understand the anger and frustration that is shaking the foundations of our democracy.”

Justice’s release of the information today is the third installment in his “ten point indictment” of Young’s abuse of power. Before today’s release, Justice criticized Young for sending $13.5 million to New York Harbor for a floating museum and pointed out that Young-backed earmarks have been investigated by law enforcement officials on four separate occasions. Three of those investigations are still open.

Justice said, “Every person in Pinellas County should be offended by Bill Young using his support of the military and veterans as a smoke screen to hide this corrupting enterprise that benefits him personally and directly. I will not take a backseat to anyone in my support of the military and our veterans. During a time when veterans are victimized by cuts to health care and the debacle at Walter Reed, Bill Young was happily wearing out a path between his office and the bank with huge contributions from the defense contractors he serves.”

“It is time for Bill Young to go,” Justice said. “Bill Young has embraced the corrupt ethics of a bygone era and made it a part of the federal budget process. Until Bill Young is removed from Congress, the federal budget process cannot be healed and deficits cannot be controlled.”

Indictment #3 – Young, Inc. a $118 Million Business

Sons, daughter-in-law, former staff feed at federal budget trough while Young collects $386,000 in campaign cash.

Earmarks for Daughter-in-law’s Clients

In 2005, clients of Cindy Young, Rep. Young’s daughter-in-law, received $2 million in funding in the defense appropriations bill. Rep. Young was chairman of the House Appropriations Committee at the time. One earmark procured $1 million for a single client of Cindy’s.

Last year, clients of Cindy Young’s firm won $2 million in funding in the defense spending bill that her father-in-law oversaw. In one case, $1 million was directed to one of Cindy Young’s clients, Dynamic Defense Materials, to develop body armor for the military. The money came in the form an “earmark,” a provision that lawmakers add to spending bills for an item or program that wasn’t requested by the agency getting the money, or authorized by previous legislation. (USA Today, Oct. 17, 2006)

Cindy Young was paid $40,000 by Dynamic Defense Materials to lobby Bill Young for the earmark, according to USA Today.

$43 million for Former Staffers’ Clients

Michael Adcock, Bryan Blom, Doug Gregory, and David Jolly have been employed by Van Scoyoc and Associates after leaving Rep. Young’s Congressional staff. Since 2007, Rep. Young has sponsored $43.8 million in earmarks for clients of Van Scoyoc and Associates. (Open Secrets Lobbying Database)

$29.8 million for David Gregory’s Clients: Clients of David Gregory, former senior aide to Rep. Young, have received nearly $30 million in earmark requests thanks to the patronage of Bill Young: $5.3 million for Alaka’i Consulting, $12.2 million for DRS Technologies, $5.4 million for Information Manufacturing Corp, $5.4 million for Revenge Advanced Composites, $1 million for Mikros Systems, $1 million for L-3 Communications, and $577,000 for Lockheed Martin. (Open Secrets Lobbying Database; Office of Management and Budget; Congressional Record)

$14.7 million for Michael Adcock’s Clients: Rep. Young has sponsored $14.7 million in earmarks for clients of former staffer and current Van Scoyoc VP Michael Adcock, including $12.2 million for DRS Technologies, $1.5 million for Baycare Health System, and $1 million for the University of West Florida. (Open Secrets Lobbying Database; Office of Management and Budget; Congressional Record)

$10.5 million for Bryan Blom’s Clients: Former staffer Bryan Blom began working for Van Scoyoc Associates in 2008. He has lobbied on behalf of SAIC, which has benefited from $10.5 million in earmarks sponsored by Rep. Young. (Open Secrets Lobbying Database; Office of Budget and Management; Congressional Record)

$7.8 million for David Jolly’s Clients: David Jolly, former district director for Rep. Young, has been employed by Van Scoyoc Associates since 2007. During that time Rep. Young has requested $7.8 million for Jolly’s lobbying clients: $5.3 million for Alaka’i Consulting, $1.5 million for Baycare Health System, and $1 million for Mikros Systems. (Open Secrets Lobbying Database; Office of Budget and Management; Congressional Record)

Patrick and Billy’s Employers Get $73.2 Million

According to a April 2008 story in the St. Petersburg Times, the employers of Bill Young’s sons have received $73.2 million in earmarks stuck into the federal budget by their father.

According to the Times, “Patrick Young, 20, is a security administrator in the downtown St. Petersburg office of Science Applications International Corp., a large defense contractor more commonly known as SAIC. He has a high-level security clearance and works with intelligence data, Rep. Young said. Another son, Billy Young, 23, is an outreach specialist with National Forensic Science Technology Center, a not-for-profit corporation in Largo that provides training and services for state and local crime labs.”

Justice said, “These earmarks simply don’t pass the smell test. Records show that Rep. Young used his clout to steer millions of dollars to the employers of his sons both before and after they got their jobs.”

$386,641 in Campaign Contributions from Former Staffers’ Clients

While Young says he does not accept campaign contributions from his daugther-in-law’s clients, he does not have a similar prohibition for the clients of his former staffers.

Young has accepted $386,641 in campaign contributions in return for the $43 million in tax dollars he funneled to his former employees.

A full list of all these contributions is on the following pages:

Name, Date, Amount, Employer
Rose, Jeremy 6/19/08 $250.00 Alaka'i Consulting
Waterbury, Robert 6/19/08 $250.00 Alaka'i Consulting
Hipp, Van 3/31/98 $250.00 American Defense Intl.
Hipp, Van 4/16/99 $250.00 American Defense Intl.
Hipp, Van 6/6/02 $500.00 American Defense Intl.
Hipp, Van 4/5/04 $250.00 American Defense Intl.
Brethauer, Craig 3/27/08 $500.00 BayCare
Costello, Robert 3/27/08 $500.00 BayCare
Inzina, Thomas 3/27/08 $250.00 BayCare
Mason, Steve 3/27/08 $1,000.00 BayCare
Sheehan, John 3/27/08 $250.00 BayCare
Cavarocchi, Nicholas 4/20/04 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Cavarocchi, Nicholas 2/17/06 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Cavarocchi, Nicholas 10/5/06 $500.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Cavarocchi, Nicholas 5/7/07 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Cavarocchi, Nicholas 5/28/08 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Cavarocchi, Nicholas 5/18/09 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Dennis, Lyle 2/17/06 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Dennis, Lyle 5/7/07 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Dennis, Lyle 5/28/08 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Dennis, Lyle 5/18/09 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Ruscio, Domenic 4/20/04 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Ruscio, Domenic 2/17/06 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Ruscio, Domenic 5/7/07 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Ruscio, Domenic 5/28/08 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Ruscio, Domenic 5/18/09 $1,000.00 Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis
Shanklin, Charles 10/16/06 $1,000.00 Crestview Aerospace
Shanklin, Charles 5/7/07 $2,300.00 Crestview Aerospace
Shanklin, Myra 10/16/06 $1,000.00 Crestview Aerospace
Burnett, Wallace 3/16/04 $500.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Burnett, Wallace 9/30/04 $500.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Burnett, Wallace 5/15/06 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Burnett, Wallace 9/28/06 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Burnett, Wallace 6/19/07 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
McBee, Steven 4/16/99 $500.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Denny 3/25/98 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Denny 6/5/02 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Denny 6/5/02 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Denny 3/16/04 $1,500.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Denny 6/19/07 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Denny 3/5/08 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 5/14/99 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 6/5/02 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 6/5/02 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 3/16/04 $1,500.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 9/30/04 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 4/26/06 $2,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 9/28/06 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 6/19/07 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Miller, Sandra B. 3/5/08 $1,000.00 Denny Miller Assoc.
Balisle, Phillip 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Bordonaro, Charles 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Bower, Monica 5/27/08 $400.00 DRS Technologies
Bowman, Michael 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Brewer, Larry 5/27/08 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Brooks, Thurston 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Churchman, John 3/24/06 $250.00 DRS Technologies
Churchman, John 10/25/06 $250.00 DRS Technologies
Churchman, John 5/27/08 $1,200.00 DRS Technologies
Clark, Russell Jr. 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Cruze, Gregory 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Danforth, Richard 6/26/07 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Daniels, Gregory 6/19/08 $250.00 DRS Technologies
Dann, Robert 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Epstein, Edwin 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Freeman, Jeffrey 5/27/08 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Garrell, Mark 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Glackin, Brian 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Granger, Michael 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Hansen, Kip 3/24/06 $250.00 DRS Technologies
Hansen, Kip 3/30/07 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Hansen, Kip 3/5/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Hansen, Kip 5/27/08 $200.00 DRS Technologies
Hansen, Kip 5/27/08 $800.00 DRS Technologies
Hart, Joseph 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Kaiser, Harold 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Laughlin, John 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Lewis, Kevin 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Mandel, Andrea 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Marion, Patrick 5/27/08 $1,500.00 DRS Technologies
Marrello, Jeffrey 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
McNatt, Tobin 5/27/08 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Nork, Lawrence 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Platt, Lawrence 5/27/08 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Powers, W.A. 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Ringo, D.W. 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Sinn, Jerry 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Smith, Gary 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Thiran, Logen 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Watson, William 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Wilbrant, Richard 5/27/08 $1,000.00 DRS Technologies
Wood, Jeffrey 5/27/08 $1,500.00 DRS Technologies
Zaborowski, John 5/27/08 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Zwiebel, James 5/27/08 $500.00 DRS Technologies
Boothe, Jeffrey 6/6/02 $250.00 Holland & Knight
Bradner, Robert 9/29/08 $500.00 Holland & Knight
Gold, Richard 6/6/02 $250.00 Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 3/19/98 $500.00 Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 12/30/98 $1,000.00 Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 4/21/99 $1,000.00 Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 6/3/02 $2,000.00 Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 3/31/04 $2,500.00 Holland & Knight
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 10/4/04 $2,500.00 Holland & Knight
Martinez, Robert 9/21/04 $250.00 Holland & Knight
Martinez, Robert 10/15/08 $500.00 Holland & Knight
Shirley, James 10/10/02 $250.00 Holland & Knight
Cava, James 3/16/04 $2,000.00 IMC
Cava, James 8/28/06 $1,000.00 IMC
Cava, James 10/18/06 $1,100.00 IMC
Cava, James 6/26/07 $2,300.00 IMC
Cox, Lyle 3/16/04 $2,000.00 IMC
Cox, Lyle 6/20/07 $2,000.00 IMC
Dash, Robert D. 3/16/04 $1,000.00 IMC
Dorn, Peter 3/16/04 $1,000.00 IMC
Grogan, David P. 9/30/08 $2,300.00 IMC
Hoffman, James 3/16/04 $2,000.00 IMC
Hoffman, James 8/28/06 $1,000.00 IMC
Hoffman, James 6/20/07 $2,300.00 IMC
Hoffman, James 3/5/08 $1,000.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 3/16/04 $2,000.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 10/12/04 $2,000.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 8/28/06 $2,100.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 10/18/06 $2,100.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 3/30/07 $1,000.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 5/16/07 $1,300.00 IMC
Hytner, Robert 6/20/07 $2,300.00 IMC
Lopez, Thomas 8/28/06 $1,000.00 IMC
Lopez, Thomas 5/7/07 $1,000.00 IMC
Lopez, Thomas 6/20/07 $1,000.00 IMC
Lopez, Thomas 6/20/07 $1,300.00 IMC
Lopez, Thomas 3/5/08 $1,000.00 IMC
Taylor, Michael 3/5/08 $2,000.00 IMC
Dressendorfer, John 10/16/00 $1,000.00 L-3 Communications
Dressendorfer, John 9/28/06 $1,000.00 L-3 Communications
Krall, Patricia 3/24/06 $250.00 L-3 Communications
Lancaster, Robert 2/24/06 $250.00 L-3 Communications
Penaskovic, Kenneth 3/24/06 $250.00 L-3 Communications
Ray, Gene 10/30/00 $1,000.00 L-3 Communications
Wahl, Frederick 3/24/06 $250.00 L-3 Communications
Martin, J. Allen 10/16/00 $250.00 Livingston Group
Martin, J. Allen 7/25/06 $1,000.00 Livingston Group
Martin, J. Allen 9/19/08 $1,000.00 Livingston Group
Robinson, J. Bernard 9/18/02 $500.00 Livingston Group
Rodgers, Richard 4/2/04 $250.00 Livingston Group
Rodgers, Richard 6/29/07 $1,000.00 Livingston Group
Rodgers, Richard 9/19/08 $500.00 Livingston Group
Zeliff, William 3/24/06 $250.00 Livingston Group
Zeliff, William 7/25/06 $1,500.00 Livingston Group
Zeliff, William 6/29/07 $1,000.00 Livingston Group
Zeliff, William 9/19/08 $1,000.00 Livingston Group
Arthur, Stanley 9/21/04 $300.00 Lockheed Martin
Dalby, Marc 9/23/08 $1,000.00 Mikros Systems
Dalby, Marc 4/3/09 $500.00 Mikros Systems
Meaney, Thomas 6/19/08 $1,000.00 Mikros Systems
Meaney, Thomas 4/3/09 $500.00 Mikros Systems
Hawkins, John R. 11/1/04 $250.00 PMA Group
Parkinson, Charles 3/18/04 $500.00 PMA Group
Walters, Gregory 3/18/04 $500.00 PMA Group
Walters, Gregory 4/19/04 $500.00 PMA Group
Hall, Gary M. 4/19/04 $500.00 Potomac Advocates
Nichols, John 10/5/06 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Nichols, John 5/16/07 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Nichols, John 3/5/08 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Nichols, William 4/5/04 $500.00 Potomac Advocates
Sojka, Gary 6/10/02 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Sojka, Gary 4/5/04 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Sojka, Gary 5/15/06 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Sojka, Gary 5/16/07 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Sojka, Gary 3/5/08 $1,000.00 Potomac Advocates
Bonsell, John 3/5/08 $1,000.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 6/11/04 $500.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 8/28/06 $2,000.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 10/5/06 $500.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 10/18/06 $500.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 5/7/07 $500.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 6/20/07 $1,800.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 3/5/08 $2,000.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 9/29/08 $300.00 Robison International
Dixon, Herbert Lee 5/18/09 $1,000.00 Robison International
Ladd, Richard 8/28/06 $500.00 Robison International
Ladd, Richard 3/5/08 $500.00 Robison International
Ladd, Richard 5/28/08 $250.00 Robison International
Ladd, Richard 5/18/09 $1,000.00 Robison International
West, Randall 3/22/06 $250.00 Robison International
West, Randall 3/24/06 $250.00 Robison International
West, Randall 3/5/08 $1,000.00 Robison International
Andersh, Dennis 8/9/05 $500.00 SAIC
Andersh, Dennis 4/7/06 $250.00 SAIC
Foreman, Edwin 8/9/05 $500.00 SAIC
Foreman, Edwin 3/24/06 $500.00 SAIC
Foreman, Edwin 10/18/06 $500.00 SAIC
Foreman, Edwin 9/23/08 $500.00 SAIC
Karwoski, Stephen 9/23/08 $250.00 SAIC
Miles, Thomas 3/24/06 $250.00 SAIC
Miles, Thomas 10/18/06 $500.00 SAIC
Miles, Thomas 9/23/08 $500.00 SAIC
Silva, Terry 3/31/06 $250.00 SAIC
Adcock, Michael 5/15/06 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Adcock, Michael 10/5/06 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Adcock, Michael 3/30/07 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Adcock, Michael 3/30/07 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Hollis, Andre 5/15/06 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Hollis, Andre 3/30/07 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Kaplan, Joel 3/30/07 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Kaplan, Joel 3/5/08 $500.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Kaplan, Joel 4/3/09 $500.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Lankford, Thomas 3/30/07 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Lankford, Thomas 4/3/09 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Latourette, Jennifer 3/30/07 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Malow, Jessica 5/7/07 $500.00 Van Scoyoc Asoc.
McDaid, Carol 5/7/07 $500.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
McDaid, Carol 6/19/08 $500.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Prenda, Brian 5/15/06 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Quinn, Thomas 3/30/07 $500.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Shupp, Michael 5/7/07 $2,300.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Shupp, Michael 4/3/09 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Van Scoyoc, H. Stewart 3/27/07 $10.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Van Scoyoc, H. Stewart 3/27/07 $325.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Van Scoyoc, H. Stewart 3/27/07 $1,252.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Van Scoyoc, H. Stewart 3/31/09 $10.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Van Scoyoc, H. Stewart 3/31/09 $410.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Van Scoyoc, H. Stewart 4/3/09 $1,000.00 Van Scoyoc Assoc.
Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis & Assoc. 4/20/04 $2,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 5/2/02 $1,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 6/10/02 $1,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 9/11/02 $1,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 2/26/04 $1,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 2/26/04 $1,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 3/25/04 $3,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 4/13/04 $5,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 3/14/06 $2,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 4/20/06 $2,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 6/22/06 $1,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 6/22/06 $1,500.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 8/2/06 $3,500.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 3/13/07 $2,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 6/1/07 $3,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 4/22/08 $5,000.00
DRS Technologies Inc. Good Government Fund 3/25/09 $2,000.00
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 11/3/05 $1,000.00
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 9/28/06 $1,000.00
Holland & Knight Committee for Effective Govt 2/25/08 $1,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 5/30/02 $1,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 6/3/02 $5,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 1/27/04 $5,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 3/11/04 $1,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 5/9/05 $5,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 7/11/05 $5,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 6/1/06 $2,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 6/5/07 $5,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 2/21/08 $2,500.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 9/15/08 $1,000.00
L-3 Communications Corp Federal PAC 3/31/09 $1,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 4/28/98 $3,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 4/28/98 $5,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 4/21/99 $3,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 9/17/99 $2,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 10/5/00 $5,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 7/12/02 $1,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 9/9/02 $4,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 10/17/02 $5,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 4/14/04 $2,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 8/10/04 $3,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 10/8/04 $5,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 8/2/05 $2,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 3/23/06 $2,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 8/17/06 $1,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 9/27/06 $5,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 10/17/06 ($1,000.00)
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 4/24/07 $2,000.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 3/31/08 $2,500.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 8/20/08 $2,500.00
Lockheed Martin Corp Employees PAC 8/22/08 $5,000.00
PMA Group PAC 3/26/98 $1,000.00
PMA Group PAC 4/15/99 $1,000.00
PMA Group PAC 6/4/02 $1,000.00
PMA Group PAC 6/4/02 $1,000.00
PMA Group PAC 3/16/04 $500.00
PMA Group PAC 3/16/04 $500.00
PMA Group PAC 3/16/04 $500.00
PMA Group PAC 4/2/04 $1,000.00
PMA Group PAC 10/25/04 $1,000.00
PMA Group PAC 9/25/06 $2,000.00
PMA Group PAC 9/9/08 $2,500.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 4/17/97 $1,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 9/29/97 $1,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 4/13/99 $2,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 7/14/99 $1,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 9/28/00 $5,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 6/17/02 $2,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 9/23/02 $5,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 3/17/03 $2,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 3/22/04 $5,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 7/28/05 $4,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 9/12/06 $1,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 9/25/06 $1,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 10/23/06 $1,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 5/11/07 $5,000.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 3/4/08 $2,500.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 9/23/08 $2,500.00
SAIC Inc. Voluntary PAC 5/4/09 $1,000.00
Van Scoyoc Assoc., Inc. PAC 3/31/09 $934.00

What Speaker Rubio Didn't Say At CPAC: How He Will Help Bring Jobs To Florida

From FDP:


Today, Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff released the following statement reacting to former Miami Lobbyist and Speaker Marco Rubio's empty rhetoric at CPAC, where Rubio regurgitated extreme right-wing platitudes, yet said nothing about how he will bring jobs to Florida or get our state back on track.

"While Marco Rubio may be succeeding in winning the heart and soul of the Republican Party, Speaker Rubio clearly has no new ideas to bring jobs to Florida or get our state back on track.

"While Speaker Rubio continues to offer only Tea Party talking points, Floridians are looking for real solutions to jump start our economy.

"As Florida House Speaker, Marco Rubio crafted the economic policies that took our state's economy down the wrong path. During Speaker Rubio's watch, Florida's economy collapsed. Now as other parts of our country begin to see signs of recovery, Florida is lagging behind thanks to the failed Republican policies from Tallahassee.

"Like the typical politician that he is, Rubio's recent rhetoric doesn't fit his record. Speaker Rubio refuses to tell Floridians if he continues to support the largest sales tax increase in Florida's history, which he sponsored while in the Legislature. He won't say what he will do to diversify Florida's economy. And, Rubio won't say how he will help Floridians suffering during these hard economic times.

"This fall, Floridians are going to send Kendrick Meek to the U.S. Senate because we need leaders that will fight against the status quo to help middle class families. Kendrick knows it takes more than political doublespeak or ideological rhetoric to ensure Florida's economy works for everyone. Throughout his career, Kendrick has been fighting to create jobs and expand opportunity, a fight he will continue in the U.S. Senate."

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Briefing Memo To President George W. Bush on Miami Lobbyist Marco Rubio

From FDP:


To: President George W. Bush
From: Concerned Citizens of Florida
Subject: Briefing Memo on Miami Lobbyist Marco Rubio

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday, while in Naples, Florida, you appeared to be caught off guard when asked about former Speaker and Miami Lobbyist Marco Rubio. According to media accounts you asked, "Who the hell is Marco Rubio?"

It is surprising that you don't know who Rubio is, given the fact much of your family, the family of your former Vice President Dick Cheney, and your former staff members including your so-called "brain" Karl Rove, are leading supporters of Rubio's campaign. We are concerned that any further snubs to Marco Rubio could be an embarrassment to you and him. Therefore, we hope you find the following briefing on Marco Rubio and his exploits helpful for your purposes and for preventing future slights.

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

Politician-Turned-Lobbyist-Turned-Politician

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio was a Miami lobbyist, who later became Speaker of the Florida State House of Representatives. While his campaign tries to portray him as an outsider, the facts don't back that up. As the Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau recently reported:

His entire bio underscores that Rubio, despite his supporters describing him as an outsider in his race against fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, is a consummate insider. Consider: City commissioner, lawyer, lobbyist*, one-time Republican Party of Florida American Express card holder, top echelon House leader and, ultimately, House Speaker, Jeb Bush sword-of-Chang bearer.

Mr. President, despite the fact that on most issues Speaker Rubio's recent rhetoric doesn't match his record, there are two areas of which you should find Rubio's stance particularly interesting. Marco Rubio is still fighting two of your failed policy battles: to enact Social Security privatization and to stop life-saving stem cell research.

SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVATIZATION:

Rubio Regurgitates Failed Washington Agenda

Despite the economic crash, and the vast majority of Floridians being against privatizing Social Security, Speaker Rubio is keeping up the fight for your plan to dismantle the program on which so many of Florida's senior citizens depend.

Rubio Supports Privatizing Social Security

On Feb. 2, 2010 the Reid Report reported that, "A spokesman for the Rubio campaign says the candidate 'supports giving people the option of investing a portion of their Social Security in personal retirement accounts,' which essentially is the Bush proposal." [Reid Report, 2/3/2010, Link]

Rubio: Social Security Should Include Private Accounts

On Jan. 31 2010 Tim Nicken the Editor of Editorials for the St. Petersburg Times reported during the previous week Rubio, "resurrected the failed Republican pitch to let people invest part of their Social Security money, a bad idea even before the recession wiped out many Americans' savings." [St. Petersburg Times, 1/31/2010]

Rubio Signed Laura Ingram's Ten for '10 Petition Pledging Support for Privatization

On Sept. 15, 2009 conservative radio host Laura Ingram announced that Rubio was among those who signed her "Ten for '10" pledge that included support for privatization of social security. The relevant part of Ingram's petition reads:

8) End Generational Theft. As few believe America's entitlement programs will be able to pay benefits to future generations, provide younger workers the choice of diverting payroll/Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts. [Laura Ingram, "Ten for '10," 9/15/2009, Link]

Rubio's Embraced Endorsements of Noted Privatization Advocates

Rubio Embraced Endorsement of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)

On Jan. 6, 2010 Rubio embraced the endorsement of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) stating in a press release that:

Paul Ryan has become one of the Republican Party's brightest stars because of his willingness to tackle today's policy challenges with innovative and compelling conservative ideas. Paul Ryan's willingness to stand up for his principles and offer real solutions to our nation's challenges has made him one of the GOP's intellectual giants and a leader taxpayers can depend on to look after them and their hard-earned dollars. [Marco Rubio for Senate Press Release, 1/6/2010, Link]

Ryan FY 2011 Budget Called for Privatizing Social Security

On Feb. 8, 2010 Roll Call reported that Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) budget plan would slash medicare and privatize social security. Roll Call wrote, "The Budget ranking member's audacious plan to balance the budget by reinventing slimmer versions of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and the tax code is forcing Republicans to determine how specific they want to be about taking on the enormous federal debt." [Roll Call, 2/8/2010]

Tax Policy Center: Ryan Plan "Would Reduce Future Social Security Benefits"

On Feb. 4, 2010 the Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution wrote that, "Ryan would reduce future Social Security benefits and create voluntary private accounts, much like the old Bush plan; turn Medicare into a voucher program starting in 2021; and cap spending for Medicaid, now an open-ended entitlement." [Tax Policy Center at the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution, 2/4/2010, Link]

Ezra Kline: Ryan's Social Security Privatization Increases Its Cost

On Feb. 5, 2010 Ezra Kline opined in the Washington Post that Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) proposal to privatize social security would increase the program's cost. Kline wrote, "His proposal to add optional private accounts to Social Security actually increases the program's cost, which is a good reminder that Social Security plays little role in our long-term deficits." [Washington Post, Ezra Kline, 2/5/2010, Link]

Rubio Touted Endorsement of Steve Forbes

On Jan. 28, 2010 Rubio unveiled the endorsement of Steve Forbes who he stated in his press release had run for President touting among his key positions, "a new Social Security system for working Americans." [Marco Rubio for Senate Press Release, 1/28/2010, Link]

Forbes Called for Individuals Privately Investing 75% of Social Security Taxes

On June 10, 1999 according to the Associated Press hat Steve Forbes speaking to the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce said Americans "should be able to invest up to three-fourths of their Social Security taxes in private accounts, out of the reach of politicians in Congress." [Associated Press, 6/10/1999]

Rubio Endorsed by Long Time Privatization Advocate Club for Growth

On Nov. 9, 2009 the Club for Growth endorsed Rubio's Senate campaign noting that he was "an advocate of lower federal spending, tax relief and tax reform." The Club for Growth has long been a vocal supporter of privatization of social security and states on its website that it seeks to "Create Social Security personal retirement accounts that workers would own and could use to build nest eggs for retirement." [Club for Growth Press Release, 11/9/2009, Link; Club for Growth, "Our Philosophy," Link]

STEM CELLS:

Rubio Opposes Medical Research, Opposes Hope For The Sick

Despite medical evidence that it's the best hope for millions of sick or disabled Americans, Marco Rubio opposed stem cell research - even voted against funding for non-embryonic stem cell research - and failed to meet the call of other Republicans for funding for non-embryonic stem cell research. Just like you Mr. President, Marco Rubio knows his personal ideology is more important than anyone else's right to a healthy life. That's why extremists agree on having Marco Rubio in the Senate. He can decide what health care treatment options are available to each of us, because we can't be trusted to make those decisions ourselves.

Rubio Voted Against Funding for Embryonic and Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research

Roll Call Vote 730

Amendment 990241

Rep. Franklin Sands

4/6/2006

Failed 40-73

On Apr. 6, 2006 Project Vote Smart reported that Rubio voted against an amendment that earmarked $1 million from the James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program to fund research grants on adult, umbilical cord and embryonic stem cell projects. The amendment failed in the House 40-73. [Project Vote Smart Florida House Votes, Roll Call Vote 730, 4/6/2006]

Rubio: I Supported Bill That Banned Taxpayer Funding of Stem Cell Research

On his website, Marco Rubio states that he opposes the taxpayer funding of stem cell research, a position he notes he took while in the legislature. Rubio states:

"I am pro-life. As a state legislator, I supported various pieces of pro-life legislation that, among other things, would require doctors to perform ultrasounds before performing abortions and another bill that would ban the use of taxpayer dollars to fund stem cell research." [Marco Rubio for Senate Issues Page, accessed 2/16/2010, Link]

2007 Rubio: "I Oppose State Funding of Embryonic Stem Cell Research"

On Feb. 1, 2007 the News-Journal reported that Rubio rebuffed Gov. Crist's efforts to fund stem cell research, stating, "I oppose state funding of embryonic stem-cell research." The paper reported that the package Crist introduced "Proposed spending $20 million to spur stem-cell research in Florida but rejected funding for controversial research that involves destroying human embryos." [News-Journal, 2/1/2007]

Rubio 2007 Budget Cut Out Funding Stem Cell Research

On May 4, 2007 the Tallahassee Democrat reported that the budget passed by the Rubio led legislature cut out "nearly $60 million for stem cell research and antiviral flu treatments" requested by Gov. Crist. [Tallahassee Democrat, 5/4/2007]

Family Research Council Endorsement Touted Rubio's Opposition to Embryonic, But Support for Adult Stem Cell Research

On Nov. 5, 2009 the Conservative Family Research Council Action PAC endorsed Rubio's U.S. Senate campaign. In their endorsement the FRC said, "Rubio also understands the importance of adult stem cell research in treating patients. He also endorsed legislation to ensure that taxpayers aren't forced to fund embryonic stem cell research." [Marco Rubio for Senate, "FRC Action PAC Endorses Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate," 11/5/2009, Link]

Rubio Led Legislature Failed to Even Fund Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Research

The News Journal noted on May 6, 2007 that the Rubio led legislature had not addressed funding requested by Gov. Crist for $20 million to fund non-embryonic stem cell research. [News-Journal, 5/6/2007]

In closing, Mr. President, we hope you will find this briefing memo helpful so that when you return to Florida, you will remember the name of the faux-outsider, lobbyist and far-right extremist Marco Rubio.

Justice Indictment of Young #2- Bill Young Has Become The Al Capone Of Earmarks


Charlie Justice Continues Indictment Of Bill Young For Corrupting Federal Budget, Exploding Deficits

‘Bill Young has become the Al Capone of earmarks’

Three investigations into Young-related earmarking are on going

St. Petersburg, FL - February 19, 2010 – Charlie Justice says Congressman Bill Young has engaged in a systematic “Earmarks for Cash” conspiracy that has corrupted the federal budget process and helped explode the deficit.

“On four different occasions, Congressman Bill Young has provided earmarks to entities that have been investigated by law enforcement for bribery and fraud. In some cases, Young’s benefactors have been indicted,” Justice said today. “In his relentless quest for campaign contributions, Congressman Young has taken $737,000 in campaign cash in return for inserting so-called budget ‘earmarks’ into the federal budget. Along the way, investigations have shown that Young’s benefactors have been investigated for a variety of charges including bribery and fraud.”

Justice said Young’s behavior has helped corrupt the federal budget process even as Congressman Young has fought against reforming the process.

“Bill Young has become the Al Capone of the budget earmark process,” said Justice. “Just a few months ago, federal investigators raided yet another firm that had been the beneficiary of millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money shepherded through the budget process by Congressman Bill Young.”

In his second in a series of indictments leveled at Congressman Bill Young, Justice revealed four different occasions where Young earmarks have drawn the attention of American and international law enforcement officials. Three of the investigations are ongoing.

Justice said his examination of Young’s earmarks show a clear link between earmarks and contributions to his campaign.

“There appears to be a formula for Young’s corrupting behavior. The larger the budget earmark, the higher the contributions to Young’s campaign. For every million dollars in tax money Young has doled out, he receives an average of $7,836 to his campaign,” Justice said. “Bill Young has embraced the corrupt ethics of a bygone era and made it a part of the federal budget process. Until Bill Young is removed from Congress, the federal budget process cannot be healed and deficits cannot be controlled.”

“Bill Young has a record that would make Al Capone proud,” Justice said. “Why would a Florida congressman be so interested in helping companies in Maine and England get money from the federal budget? Perhaps it is because some of that money that then flowed to Young’s campaign account.”

“Here’s what I will do differently as the next Congressman from Florida’s 10th District. I will vote to eliminate the practice of earmarking pet projects in the federal budget. I can bring home federal tax dollars to Pinellas County without engaging in the corrupting earmarking process,” Justice said. “I will also fight for jobs and tourism dollars right here in Pinellas County and let New York, England and Maine take care of themselves. I will do it in the open through the budget process instead of through these corrupting earmarks.”

Indictment #2 – The Al Capone of Congress

Indictments, bribery, fraud taint Young budget shenanigans.

Young took $517,300 from four tainted recipients of earmarks.

Case #1: Maine Defense Contractor Indicted After Receiving Millions in Young Earmarks. Young accepted $11,000 for his campaign from those connected to the scandal. Recipients indicted.

Over the course of seven years, Maurice Subilia, owner of a small Maine-based defense company, managed to fleece more than $5 million from the U.S. government through bribery, fraudulent contracting, and overseas money laundering. Rep. Young accepted over $11,000 from individuals connected to the scandal, including two of those indicted in the conspiracy.

Background

Between 2000 and 2007, a small defense company in Maine procured almost $10 million in government contracts. In return, the company provided worthless parts and services as part of a sham operation. Maurice Subilia, the company’s owner, bribed two Army engineers to steer contracts their way, and he used other subcontractors and an overseas bank account to launder the money. All told, Subilia managed to defraud the government of more than $5 million.

As part of his plea, Subilia admitted to using Lealagi and another company called Sage Technologies LLC to bribe Army officials, rig contracts, and funnel federal dollars to himself and family members from 2000 to early 2007.

In order to make their scheme work, Subilia and Cantrell had to keep the money flowing from Congress to Cantrell’s projects. That’s where the lobbying firm came in. Subilia, through Lealagi, hired Congressional Strategies LLC of Arlington, Va.

Congressional Strategies is run by Grayson Winterling and James Littig. The firm specializes in the defense industry…

During the time of the conspiracy, Lealagi and Sage Technologies wired roughly $5.7 million to overseas bank accounts. (Portland Press-Herald, Mar. 22, 2009)

$11,250 to Young from Individuals Connected to Scandal

From 1999 to 2006, Rep. Young received $11,250 in campaign contributions from individuals connected to the Lealagi scandal. The contributions came from Moe Subilia, Dennis and Joan Darling of Innovative Business Solutions, and Grayson Winterling and James Littig of Congressional Strategies. (Federal Election Commission)

Name, Date, Amount, Employer
Darling, Dennis 9/5/2000 $500.00 Innovative Business Solutions
Darling, Dennis 6/6/2002 $1,000.00 Innovative Business Solutions
Darling, Dennis 10/14/2003 $2,000.00 Innovative Business Solutions
Darling, Dennis 6/7/2005 $2,000.00 Innovative Business Solutions
Darling, Dennis 3/24/2006 $2,000.00 Innovative Business Solutions
Darling, Joan 3/24/2006 $2,000.00 Innovative Business Solutions
Subilia, Maurice 9/5/2000 $500.00 Fiber Materials
Littig, M.J. 4/12/2004 $500.00 Congressional Strategies
Littig, M.J. 3/31/2006 $250.00 Congressional Strategies
Winterling, Grayson 7/26/1999 $500.00 Congressional Strategies

Case #2: Authorities raid company after millions in earmarks by Bill Young. Congressman accepted $6,300 for his campaign. Investigation ongoing.

Bill Young has a long-standing quid pro quo relationship with Conax Corporation. They’ve been a contributor to his campaign for as long as he’s been an earmarker for their projects. In Jul. 2009, federal officials raided the offices of Florida defense contractor Conax Corporation. Rep. Young, who has reportedly sponsored $28.5 million in earmarks for Conax since 2005, withdrew an earmark currently in legislation in an attempt to distance himself from the company.

Earmarks for Conax and Quid Pro Quo

In 2007 and 2008, Bill Young sponsored three earmarks totaling almost $10 million for Florida-based Conax Corporation. Although unverifiable due to the former anonymity of earmark sponsorship, it was reported that Young has secured a total of $28.5 million in earmarks since 2005. In return he has received $6,300 in campaign contributions since 2006 from employees of Conax and its parent corporation, Cobham Life Support Systems. (U.S. Office of Management and Budget; Congressional Record, Sept. 25, 2008, p. E1992 and E1994; Federal Election Commission; St. Petersburg Times, Jul. 17, 2009)

Name, Date, Amount, Employer
Claudon, Chester III 9/12/2007 $300.00 Conax
Claudon, Chester III 10/27/2008 $300.00 Conax
Frederick, Danny 3/24/2006 $500.00 Conax
Gerrish, Kevin 10/27/2008 $200.00 Conax
Guenthardt, Alvin 3/24/2006 $500.00 Conax
Guenthardt, Alvin 9/12/2007 $500.00 Conax
Kovacik, James 9/12/2007 $250.00 Conax
Losi, Robert 3/24/2006 $250.00 Conax
Lutocka, John 3/24/2006 $250.00 Conax
McCracken, Walter 3/24/2006 $250.00 Conax
McCracken, Walter 6/19/2008 $250.00 Conax
Nesslar, Gary 3/24/2006 $250.00 Conax
Nigh, Clifford 3/24/2006 $250.00 Conax
Barbero, Michael 10/27/2008 $500.00 Cobham
Coffield, Kelly 9/12/2007 $500.00 Cobham
Guenthardt, Alvin 10/27/2008 $250.00 Cobham
Suff, Charles 10/27/2008 $1,000.00 Cobham

July 2009: Conax Offices Raided

On Jul. 15, 2009, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service raided Conax’s St. Petersburg offices and seized corporate records in conjunction with a federal investigation.

An official with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service said the agency executed a search warrant for corporate records as part of an ongoing investigation but declined to elaborate. Also involved in the search were the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the offices of inspectors general with the Air Force, NASA and the Defense Department. (Washington Post, Jul. 16, 2009)

Case #3: Young takes $460,000 in campaign cash from corrupt lobbyists and their clients. Investigation ongoing.

In November 2008, federal officials raided the offices of lobbying juggernaut PMA Group of Washington, D.C. Initial indications suggested that the investigation was related to allegations of illegal political contributions. Over the years Rep. Young has accepted a reported $460,000 from PMA and its clients, more than half of which came from clients who had benefited from an earmark sponsored by Young. In Oct. 2009, a leaked report named several legislators involved in the PMA inquiry, one of whom was Young.

November 2008: PMA Under Investigation

In November 2008, federal officials raided the offices of lobbying firm PMA Group. News of the raid broke in February 2009, and sources indicated that the investigation centered around illegal campaign contributions.

Federal investigators have raided the offices of the PMA Group, one of Washington’s biggest lobbying firms, as part of an investigation into potentially improper campaign contributions, a person briefed on the investigators’ questions said Monday night.

The firm specializes in helping its clients obtain multimillion dollar earmarks, the pet items inserted by a single lawmaker into major spending bills that have played a role in several recent Washington scandals. (New York Times, Feb. 10, 2009)

October 2009: Bill Young Named in Congressional Ethics Probe

In October 2009, a leaked report of the House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct named Bill Young as part of the committee’s inquiry into the PMA-related contribution scandal.

The new revelations indicate that the PMA probe has involved a much larger number of lawmakers than previous public reports had indicated. The report shows the Ethics Committee has spoken to seven members of the defense-spending panel in an effort to determine whether lawmakers violated House ethics rules by trading spending earmarks for campaign donations. (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 31, 2009)

Earmarks for PMA Clients

Since 2007, Bill Young has obtained over $20 million in earmarked funds for PMA Group clients AAR Corp, Coda Octopus, Concurrent Technologies, General Dynamics, ITT Corp, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, and Rockwell Collins. (Open Secrets Lobbying Database; U.S. Office of Management and Budget; Congressional Record).

$460,000 to Young from PMA Group and Clients

OpenSecrets.org indicated that Rep. Young has received a grand total of $460,000 in contributions from employees of PMA Group and its clients. PMA clients who received earmarks courtesy of Rep. Young funded his campaign to the tune of $246,700.

Contributions records show Young has received $460,000 from PMA Group and its clients, according to OpenSecrets.org. (St. Petersburg Times, Oct. 29, 2009)

Case #4: A global trail of corruption. Young takes $40,000 from company under investigation by the governments of two countries. Investigation ongoing.

Bill Young has accepted over $40,000 in campaign contributions from a company that is under investigation by the governments of two different countries. British defense company BAE Systems has drawn the attention of the U.S. Justice Department and the British Serious Fraud Office for instances of alleged bribery. Still more impressive is the list of countries in which the alleged offenses took place; if found in violation of all suspected instances, BAE Systems could potentially have committed crimes on four continents.

Background

In late 2007, it was reported that BAE Systems was under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly bribing Saudi Arabian royalty to procure military contracts. As of October 2009 that investigation was still ongoing. Britain’s Serious Fraud Office is also investigating the company for bribery and has announced its intention to bring a case to the Attorney-General.

The Department of Justice is investigating BAE Systems for alleged bribery in dealings with Saudi Arabia. According to news reports, BAE set up a slush fund with hundreds of millions of dollars in a Washington, D.C. bank to bribe Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan in order to win weapons contracts. (The Hill, Nov. 1, 2007)

The US Department of Justice is still looking into payments worth more than 1 billion made by BAE to Saudi officials…The latest SFO investigation, however, focuses on four other countries where it is alleged that BAE used bribes to secure arms contracts – the Czech Republic, South Africa, Tanzania, and Romania. (London Times, Oct. 2, 2009)

$43,000 in Contributions to Young from BAE Systems

Since 1998, Rep. Young has been a regular recipient of campaign contributions from BAE Systems’ political action committees. He has amassed a total of $43,500. (Federal Election Commission)

Name, Date, Amount
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 3/30/1998 $1,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 4/20/1999 $500.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 10/4/2000 $3,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 11/13/2001 $2,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 7/9/2002 $1,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 9/11/2002 $2,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 3/11/2004 $1,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 10/4/2004 $3,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 4/26/2005 $5,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 4/28/2005 $5,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 6/21/2007 $2,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 3/3/2008 $2,500.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 9/24/2008 $1,000.00
BAE Systems Inc. PAC 9/24/2008 $1,500.00
BAE Systems United Defense Employees PAC 10/7/1998 $1,000.00
BAE Systems United Defense Employees PAC 4/1/1999 $1,000.00
BAE Systems United Defense Employees PAC 6/7/2002 $1,000.00
BAE Systems United Defense Employees PAC 4/16/2004 $5,000.00
BAE Systems United Defense Employees PAC 4/13/2005 $5,000.00

Charlie Justice Begins Indictment of Bill Young


Charlie Justice Begins Indictment Of Bill Young For Corrupting Federal Budget, Exploding Deficits

‘Bill Young has embraced the corrupt ethics of a bygone era’

First Count of Indictment: The Floating Museum in New York

Young’s New York Museum Engages in Direct Attack on Florida’s Tourism Industry

St. Petersburg, FL - February 16, 2010 - Charlie Justice says Congressman Bill Young has engaged in a systematic “Earmarks for Cash” conspiracy that has corrupted the federal budget process and helped explode the deficit.

“Congressman Bill Young has betrayed the trust of the people of Pinellas County by trading taxpayers’ money for contributions to his campaign,“ Justice said today. “Congressman Young has taken $737,000 in campaign cash in return for inserting so-called budget ‘earmarks’ into the federal budget.”

Justice said Young’s behavior has helped corrupt the federal budget process even as Congressman Young has fought against reforming the process.

“Beginning today, my campaign will present a ten count indictment of Congressman Bill Young’s corrupting abuse of the federal budget process for his own political gain. I believe that Congressman Young’s behavior is disgraceful, disqualifying and completely out of the step with the people of Pinellas County,” Justice said.

Justice said his examination of Young’s earmarks show a clear link between earmarks and contributions to his campaign.

“There appears to be a formula for Young’s corrupting behavior. The larger the budget earmark, the higher the contributions to Young’s campaign. For every million dollars in tax money Young has doled out, he receives an average of $7,836 to his campaign,” Justice said. “Bill Young has embraced the corrupt ethics of a bygone era and made it a part of the federal budget process. Until Bill Young is removed from Congress, the federal budget process cannot be healed and deficits cannot be controlled.”

“Here’s what I will do differently as the next Congressman from Florida’s 10th District. I will vote to eliminate the practice of earmarking pet projects in the federal budget. I can bring home federal tax dollars to Pinellas County without engaging in the corrupting earmarking process,” Justice said. “I will also fight for jobs and tourism dollars right here in Pinellas County and let New York take care of itself.”

Indictment #1 – The Floating New York Museum

$13 million hidden in the federal budget by Young.

$120,000 to Young’s Campaign.

“It’s curious that a congressman who represents a tourist destination state like Florida would hide $13 million in taxpayers’ money for a tourist destination in New York Harbor. It’s curious, at least, until you learn that Congressman Bill Young got $120,000 in contributions to his campaign in return for boosting tourism in New York,” said Charlie Justice.

New York real estate tycoon Zachary Fisher led efforts to restore the USS Intrepid as a museum in the Hudson River. The project received a shot in the arm to the tune of $13 million thanks to an earmark supported by Rep. Young, who served as Appropriations Committee Chairman at the time. In return he received $120,000 in campaign contributions from members of the Fisher family and employees of Wall Street investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, whose CEO was on the museum’s board of directors.

“Congressman Bill Young often crows about bringing money home to Pinellas County. Why then did Bill Young use his influence to hide $13 million in the budget for a floating museum in New York Harbor? Perhaps Young shepherded the $13 million into the budget because he then received $40,000 in campaign contributions to his campaign right after the earmark and $120,000 in total over the last ten years,” said Charlie Justice.

Justice added, “It is particularly galling to see the website for the floating museum promote bringing the Space Shuttle to New York harbor as part of their program. That is a direct attack on the Florida tourism industry.”

Petition to Bring Space Shuttle to New York

How Young Did It: $13 Million Earmark Not Requested by Military

A line-item earmark for $13 million mysteriously appeared in conference report for the fiscal year 1998 military spending bill. The money, though not requested by the military, was to be funneled through the Navy for the benefit the U.S.S. Intrepid museum in New York.

The appropriation - to be routed through the U.S. Navy and given strictly to the Intrepid - was not requested by the Navy.

And the line-item doesn't appear in either the original version passed by the House or a similar spending bill passed through the Senate. But when members of both chambers met under Young's leadership to hammer out their differences, the $13 million grant suddenly appeared in the final version that was ultimately approved by Congress and signed by President Clinton in October 1997. (Tampa Tribune, Jan. 16, 1999)

How Young’s Campaign Benefitted

The Intrepid museum had some powerful patrons, including Zachary Fisher, a wealthy real estate mogul from New York, and Howard Lutnick, CEO of investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald and a member of the museum’s board of directors. Their gratitude came in the form of tens of thousands toward Bill Young’s re-election campaign.

Seven months after he helped secure a $13 million government grant to resurface the flight deck of a New York family’s floating dream, the clan of real-estate moguls and their associates donated a hefty $40,000 to U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young’s uncontested re-election bid.

That total, given in bundles over several days in April and May 1998, amounts to more than a third of all individual contributions to the Pinellas Republican’s campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission. (Tampa Tribune, Jan. 16, 1999)

Name, Date, Amount, Employer

Buehler, Christine 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Buehler, Christine 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Anne E 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Anne E 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Arnold 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Arnold 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Elissa 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Kenneth 4/20/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Kenneth 4/20/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, M Anthony 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, M Anthony 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Richard L 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Richard L 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Steven 4/20/98 $1,000 Plaza Construction
Fisher, Suzanne 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Suzanne 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Tammy 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Tammy 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Fisher, Zachary 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Zachary 4/14/98 $1,000 Fisher Brothers
Fraser, Stuart 5/26/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Fraser, Stuart 5/26/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Fraser, Elsier 5/26/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Fraser, Elsier 5/26/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Ginsberg, Philip 5/26/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Ginsberg, Philip 5/26/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Ginsberg, Leslie 5/26/98 $1,000 SBC Communications
Ginsberg, Leslie 5/26/98 $1,000 SBC Communications
Kenowsky, Sunnie 4/14/98 $1,000 Veterinarian (shared address with Zachary Fisher)
Kenowsky, Sunnie 4/14/98 $1,000 Veterinarian
Lutnick, Howard 5/6/98 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Lutnick, Howard 4/2/97 $1,000 Cantor Fitzgerald
Lutnick, Allison 5/6/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Lutnick, Allison 4/2/97 $1,000 Homemaker
Pope, Lois 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker (friend of Zachary Fisher)
Pope, Lois 4/14/98 $1,000 Homemaker
Stern, Michael 4/14/98 $1,000 Intrepid Board of Directors
Stern, Michael 4/14/98 $1,000 Intrepid Board of Directors
Stern, Margaret 4/20/98 $1,000 Margaret Stern Comm.
Stern, Margaret 4/20/98 $1,000 Margaret Stern Comm.

$120,000 since 1998

Ten years after donating $40,000 to Bill Young, the Fisher family, employees of Cantor Fitzgerald, and employees of the Fisher-owned Plaza Construction donated another $80,000 to Rep. Young’s campaign between June and August 2008. (Federal Election Commission)

Name, Date, Amount, Employer
Fisher, Arnold 8/5/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Arnold 8/5/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Audrey 8/5/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Audrey 8/5/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Karen 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Fisher, Karen 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Fisher, Kenneth 8/5/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Kenneth 8/5/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Steven 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Steven 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Tammy 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Fisher, Tammy 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Fisher, Winston 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Fisher, Winston 8/26/2008 $2,300.00 Fisher Brothers
Lutnick, Allison 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Lutnick, Allison 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Lutnick, Howard 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Lutnick, Howard 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Barnard, Douglas 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Barnard, Douglas 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Fraser, Stuart 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Fraser, Stuart 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Ficarro, James 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Ficarro, James 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Merkel, Stephen 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Merkel, Stephen 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Pion, Paul 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Pion, Paul 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Spar, Anne 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Spar, Anne 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Spar, Elon 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Homemaker
Spar, Elon 6/19/2008 $2,300.00 Cantor Fitzgerald
Whalen, John 8/26/2008 $2,000.00 Plaza Construction
Wood, Richard 8/20/2008 $2,300.00 Plaza Construction
Wood, Richard 8/20/2008 $2,300.00 Plaza Construction

Marco Rubio Affirms He's Part of the Flat Earth Society, What About Charlie Crist?

From FDP:


Rubio To Tampa Tribune: I Don't Believe In Global Warming

With Both Rubio And Crist Running Hard To Right, Will Crist Also Disavow Global Warming?

Today, the Florida Democratic Party is on the offensive against former Miami lobbyist Marco Rubio after he suggested he doesn't believe in global warming. In an interview with the Tampa Tribune, Speaker Rubio said he doesn't accept the scientific evidence for global warming, which puts him at odds with the vast majority of actually scientists and climatologists. With Rubio declaring himself part of the flat earth society, will embattled Governor Charlie Crist, down big in the polls, join Rubio and try to curry some favor with right-wing, Tea Party activists?

"With his comments late last week suggesting he doesn't believe in global warming, Marco Rubio has positioned himself far outside the Florida mainstream," said Eric Jotkoff, Florida Democratic Party spokesman. "Now the spotlight falls on Charlie Crist. Falling further and further behind in the polls and facing a right-wing primary electorate, will Charlie Crist join Rubio in denying the existence of global warming?"

"And, with both Rubio and Crist running hard to the right and right out of the Florida mainstream, what extreme positions will they take next? Will they declare a belief that humans and dinosaurs roamed the earth together? Will they demand that the United States return to the gold standard?" asked Jotkoff.

Tampa Tribune: Rubio questions climate change

WILLIAM MARCH

February 13, 2010

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/feb/13/na-rubio-questions-climate-change/

Senate candidate Marco Rubio said Friday that he doesn't accept the scientific evidence for global warming - a stance Rubio has hinted at before, but which the campaign of Gov. Charlie Crist said is a switch for Rubio.

Rubio denied it's a change in his position on the issue.

Climate change in general, and specifically of a "cap-and-trade" plan to limit carbon emissions, has been an issue in the campaign between Crist and Rubio for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.

In an interview with the Tribune on that subject Friday, Rubio called Crist "a believer in man-made global warming."

"I don't think there's the scientific evidence to justify it," Rubio said.

Asked whether he accepts the scientific evidence that the global climate is undergoing change, he responded, "The climate is always changing. The climate is never static. The question is whether it's caused by man-made activity and whether it justifies economically destructive government regulation."

Rubio hasn't previously denied global warming outright in published statements on the issue.

In December, he told The Miami Herald, "I'm not a scientist. I'm not qualified to make that decision. There's a significant scientific dispute about that."

In an interview with the American Spectator, which used only paraphrase and not direct quotes, Rubio said he was not prepared to challenge the scientific evidence of global warming, but that the evidence didn't justify a cap-and-trade plan.

The Crist camp accuses Rubio of flip-flopping on the issue because while Rubio criticizes Crist for backing a cap-and-trade plan, Rubio also led the state House in 2008 to pass legislation mandating a state cap-and-trade plan.

"If the climate's changing, so are his positions on issues," said Eric Eikenberg, Crist campaign manager. "This is the flavor of the month," an attempt by Rubio to appeal to the right wing, he said.

In a 2007 speech on the issue to the House, Rubio said, "Florida has the opportunity to pursue bold energy policies, not just because they are good for our environment, but because people can actually make money at doing it. This nation, and ultimately the world, is headed towards emission caps and energy diversification."

But Rubio says his position has not changed on the issue.

The 2008 legislation, he said, was a response to Crist's attempt to enact a cap-and-trade plan by executive order - a plan Rubio bashes as "California-style" or "European-style."

Rubio, then state House speaker with control over House legislation, said rather than allow Crist's plan to take effect, he backed legislation to require the state Department of Environmental Protection to develop a "market-based" plan to comply with a potential federal plan.

Jennifer Collins, a meteorologist at the University of South Florida, said it's true the global climate isn't static, as Rubio said, but added, "The evidence is that there is a slow, long-term warming, and that some of that is attributable to humans."

Congresswoman Brown-Waite Took Thousands from Scandal Plagued WellPoint Insurance

From Jim Piccillo:


Piccillo Challenges Ginny Brown-Waite to Return Thousands in WellPoint “Blood Money”

Congresswoman Brown-Waite Took Thousands from Scandal Plagued WellPoint Insurance
Piccillo: “WellPoint's greedy price-hike scheme is right out of the Wall Street handbook; designed to make them rich while families lose their health care coverage.”

Land O Lakes, FL- Jim Piccillo, the leading opponent to Congresswoman Ginny Brown- Waite, called on her today to return the $2,000 in campaign contributions she took from the controversial insurance company WellPoint. Piccillo issued this challenge after weekend reports revealed that WellPoint insurance increased their premiums by 39% only days after posting a $2.7 Billion profit last fiscal quarter.

“I support bringing down monthly insurance premiums for Florida's families through common-sense reforms to our health care system. Ginny Brown-Waite voted for a health care bill that would take six years to achieve 3% savings in health care premiums for 8 out of 10 Americans. She voted for that bill to protect the same insurance companies, like WellPoint, that pumped over $150,000 into her campaign during last year's health care debate. It should make people wonder who Ginny Brown-Waite is really working for; big insurance companies or us, her constituents,” said Piccillo.
Piccillo is running for Congress to restore common-sense by holding greedy insurance companies and other special interests accountable while Florida families struggle to make ends meet during this crippling recession that has the district facing record unemployment levels.

“What WellPoint did disgusts me. They are the perfect example of what's wrong with the American health care system today. WellPoint's greedy price-hike scheme is right out of the Wall Street handbook; designed to make them rich while families lose their health care coverage. That's why Ginny Brown-Waite should return the $2,000.00 she took from them for her campaign. WellPoint's blood money has no place in this campaign,” concluded Piccillo.