GOP Rep. Hobson Earmarked Millions For Projects Near His Own Properties
GOP Rep. Hobson Earmarked Millions For Projects Near His Own Properties
Since 2001, Rep. David Hobson (R-OH) “has directed millions of taxpayer dollars to two Ohio projects near real estate he owned,” according to an investigation by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hobson has secured roughly $32 million for the two projects:
Since buying into the building in 2001, records show, Hobson has used his position in Congress to obtain more than $30 million in federal transportation money to build the freight transfer station, part of a conversion involving the old Rickenbacker Air Force Base outside Columbus.
In a separate project, Hobson obtained nearly $2 million from Congress to widen a road in Beavercreek, near Dayton, in front of a condominium development in which he was an investor, the review of records shows.
Hobson says “he didn’t personally benefit from either project” and that the Plain Dealer is “trying to find something evil somewhere.” But other companies who own land near the Rickenbacker Air Force base say “there has been a real boom” since Hobson secured the federal funds:
Hobson’s building is directly across Alum Creek Drive from a bustling construction site where Indianapolis-based Duke Realty is building a 936,000-square-foot bulk freight distribution center. Duke Realty Senior Vice President Jim Clark says the value of properties near the airport quadrupled over the past decade. He attributes much of the rise to anticipated demand from the airport’s new freight transfer station.
Though Hobson’s earmarking is not illegal, watchdog groups say his use of tax dollars for projects near his real estate is a “terrible conflict of interest.” But Hobson is not alone in Congress when it comes to raking in big bucks off their legislative earmarks:
- In 2006, the Sunlight Foundation reported that $207 million in earmarked appropriations secured by then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) benefited real estate investments that ultimately helped he and his wife earn “about $1.8 million from land deals.”
- In 2005, Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) made a 79 percent profit on land he had purchased when he sold it after earmarking over $9 million for freeway and commercial development near the property.
- Between 1997 and 2006, Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) directed $250 million in earmarks to five nonprofit organizations that he created and were staffed by his friends.
Hobson told the Plain Dealer that he thinks it would be “stupid” to ban members of Congress from real estate investments in their districts. He added that “as long as the projects don’t originate with the member for the member’s self-aggrandizement,” congressmen should be able to direct money to their districts that they believe will benefit the community.
Take a look at the proximity between Hobson’s properties and his earmarked projects:
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Gotta wonder how much the properties were worth pre-earmark construction and post.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pmDidn’t benefit? You gotta be kidding CongressJerk!
So Hobson is trying to say he is not benefitting from the fact that his property value has quadrupled in seven years. Wow if that is not a benefit, I want his definition of what beneficial is! I would say without a doubt that is a serious conflict of interest. To say that “as long as the projects don’t originate with the member for the member’s self-aggrandizement,” is understating the point. Hobson’s defense is that the newspaper is “trying to find something evil somewhere.” Well I think the shoe fits, if it feels like a conflict of interest, it mostly likely is.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:17 pmThat’s the Catch 22 of being a Congress-critter. Back in the days when Congress consisted of people who, for the most part, weren’t millionaires taking paycuts to serve their term, this wasn’t a problem.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 pmWow, Republican is corrupt!
Also in the news:
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 pmWater determined to be wet
The sun determined to be hot
Pacific ocean described as “deep”
Nothing like padding your portfolio , eh Hobson ?
There isn’t a damn politician , be they Democratic or Republican , who should be allowed to profit in this way ; it should be banned.
Of course , all these dirty scumbags believe it’s their “right” , and would never try to legislate this……
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 pmHobson told the Plain Dealer that he thinks it would be “stupid” to ban members of Congress from real estate investments in their districts.
– -Geeze, talk about a Hobson’s Choice.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:23 pmHe added that “as long as the projects don’t originate with the member for the member’s self-aggrandizement,” congressmen should be able to direct money to their districts that they believe will benefit the community.
I wonder if “self-aggrandizement” means “profit”?
Nah, probably not.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:31 pmBut Rep. Dobson wears a flag pin, so all is forgiven.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pmThe GOP is a criminal enterprise. If they aren’t turning our treasury over to KBH, they are filling their own pockets with ill gotten money. Talk about ‘dirty hands’.
June 2nd, 2008 at 12:41 pm…Owed to China – Neocon tribute
Your Flag pins are cheap,
We wear them with pride.
We never did serve,
We chose to hide.
The Olympics you’ll host
With fanfare and lights
We’ll send our President
(Don’t mention Human Rights)
The Games will begin
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pmAll athletics and class
But don’t send us a bill
‘Cause you own our ass!
This is criminal behavior from a congress person. Any one of them that has done this should resign immediately.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 pmoldtree Says:
This is criminal behavior from a congress person. Any one of them that has done this should resign immediately.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
_____
If they did that, we’d never have a quorum again.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pmHe should paid the funds back to the American people. Such behavior must not be unpunished. Congress should send the bill to a collections to collect…at his dime! lol
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pmYou know, that as a DAR = Daughter of the American Revolution, you can not were any form of the flag! I get so mad when I see politicians and “normal people” wearing the flag as apparel. This includes pins!!! Just like war metals, you can not wear them unless you are in uniform or proper apparel.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Doesn’t this boost in property values near the places where taxes were invested knock down the conservative talking point that claims that government can’t help create prosperity? It’s amazing how a line of bullshit like that, repeated ad nauseum, can become so ingrained in a culture.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:37 pmAw, now, that has GOT to be a coincidence!!!!!
/snark
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pm