Ethical Cloud Envelopes Grayson
Ethical Cloud Envelopes Grayson
Despite Pledge to Fight “Waste, Fraud and Abuse,” Grayson Embroiled in Scandal over Earmark for Controversial Figure
“The public image Grayson carefully cultivated for himself has been shattered once and for all in the wake of today’s reports,” said Ken Spain, NRCC Communications Director. “Despite his campaign promises to fight corruption and fraud, Alan Grayson has been caught red-handed engaging in an earmarking scheme that appears, well, corrupt and fraudulent.”
BACKGROUND
The Incorruptible Fraud-Fighting Grayson The Real Alan Grayson
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“Grayson, however, thinks he can win over primary voters with strong liberal stances and general-election voters with his knowledge of complicated issues and one of his favorite phrases: ‘I am incorruptible.’” [1] |
Grayson requested $350,000 for the Florida Civil Rights Association.[2] Grayson campaign website: “The Florida Civil Rights Association (FCRA) has selected Alan Grayson to receive its 2007 ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ award.” [3] WDBO Local News: “What’s odd is the group apparently created that award just for Grayson…”[4] WDBO Local News: “He touted [the Florida Civil Rights Association] during the campaign on his website and in interviews.” WDBO Local News: “The FCRA also listed Grayson as its ‘national legal advisor’ before removing the posting a few weeks ago. And people who helped on the Orlando Democrat’s campaign say [the president of the FCRA] also volunteered for Grayson.” |
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“Before I was elected, I spent years fighting government waste, fraud and abuse, and protecting the taxpayer. I promised that I would continue to do that if I were elected to Congress.” [5]
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen: “People are willing to make public investments if they know their money is being well spent. That’s where Alan Grayson comes in. He understands it’s important to invest in the public good. But he doesn’t want to be wasting a penny of taxpayer money.” (National Journal, 3/14/09) |
Rep. Alan Grayson [D-Fla.] requested $350,000 for the Florida Civil Rights Association.[6] Florida Civil Rights Association website: lists “J Willie David, III” as president. [7] WDBO Local News: “In its court filing, the state Department of Financial Services says David ‘demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness to engage in the bail bond business’ and used ‘fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of business.’” Willie Johnson, a co-founder and former Vice President of the FCRA: “I say [J.] Willie [David] is a professional con-artist, and a crook”[8] WDBO Local News: “But another former member, Tim Adams, says in the end, he worries David will do what he wants with the money. ‘It’s obvious that when money comes in, it goes to Willie David…” |
[1] Scott Maxwell, Column, “A tale of 2 unknowns,” Orlando Sentinel, June 4, 2006
[2] “Fiscal year 2010 civilian appropriations,” Office of Representative Alan Grayson, http://grayson.house.gov/appropriations-information.shtml, accessed June 8, 2009
[3] “Alan Grayson Honored as “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Florida Civil Rights Association,” Alan Grayson for Congress website, http://graysonforcongress.org/newsitem.asp?NewsId=49, Dec. 12, 2007
[4] “Congressman Grayson wants taxpayer money for controversial group,” WBDO Local News, http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/06/congressman-grayson-wants-taxp-1.html, June 8, 2009
[5] Alan Grayson editorial, “The real deal about bonus pay,” Orlando Sentinel, April 19, 2009
[6] “Fiscal year 2010 civilian appropriations,” Office of Representative Alan Grayson, http://grayson.house.gov/appropriations-information.shtml, accessed June 8, 2009
[7] “Executive Office of the President,” Florida Civil Rights Association website, http://www.fcranews.com/ThePresident.html, accessed June 8, 2009
[8] “Congressman Grayson wants taxpayer money for controversial group,” WBDO Local News, http://wdbo.com/localnews/2009/06/congressman-grayson-wants-taxp-1.html, June 8, 2009