Payne’s ‘perceived bribery’ costs him DHS post.
Payne’s ‘perceived bribery’ costs him DHS post.
Stephen Payne, a “GOP lobbyist and fundraiser with close ties to the White House has quit a Homeland Security Department advisory committee following allegations of influence peddling and quid pro quo donations to the Bush presidential library,” UPI reports:
Department spokeswoman Laura Keehner confirmed to United Press International that Stephen Payne was asked to resign. [...]
“The department asked him to step down” from his post on the Secure Borders and Open Doors Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, Keehner said, declining to comment on the reasons.
[Payne] said he had resigned from the advisory council because “under the current circumstances there will be too many distractions for me to successfully focus on (its) important work.”
Both DHS and the House Oversight Committee have opened investigations into Payne’s activities. The watchdog group CREW is urging the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into Payne and his relationship with the Bush administration. (HT: TPM)
What also remains murky is Payne’s role in a 2005 opinion piece that Hutchison authored for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. It was headlined “Azerbaijan: Opportunity for America,” and in it Hutchison writes that the country “holds great promise” as an oil source in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Payne brags in materials for his business that he “developed” a series of op-eds promoting the country, including one by Hutchison. Hutchison’s current staff contends that it does not know the precise origins of the column she wrote promoting Azerbaijan, although her spokesman says she was heavily involved. Chris Paulitz, her communications director at the time, declined to comment today on Payne’s role in writing the piece.
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Uh oh, bribery and influence pedding don’t pay off any longer? People are starting to ask questions about ethics?
What can the poor “friends of W” expect for the next six months? Is there truly no more money to be made?
Times are tough…
PEACE
July 15th, 2008 at 11:45 pmBreaks my heart.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:46 pmDoesn’t mean that it’s gonna change anything though. Payne will go on pandering for the Bush administration. Selling favors and getting donations for that odious library.
And a wink and a nod will go to Payne and another position in some other crony organization… that the way these thieves operate.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:49 pm“Quit?” How about he got the heave-ho.
July 15th, 2008 at 11:53 pmQuit? Right.. More like the Boot! Next!
July 16th, 2008 at 12:26 amchimpy’s crooks never die, they multiply.
and what in the hell does payne know about his old position? another one of chimpy’s lovers who can’t do the job intended.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:27 amYOU SPELLED PERCEIVED WRONG
July 16th, 2008 at 12:42 amNext stop? How about Leavenworth?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:46 amThaks
Mor Inof
July 16th, 2008 at 2:26 amhttp://www.softonlinesoft.com/vb/index.php
Ha ha, Kay Bailey Hutchinson the beyotch who said lying to a grand jury is not a crime after enforcing the “rule of law” on Bubba. What a freakin’ whore.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:38 amJustice Dept. open a criminal investigation of BushCo? LOL. That’s a good one!
July 16th, 2008 at 2:46 amNow this is an unexpected turn of events.
I thought for sure Payne was going to get a raise and a promotion.
In any event, I am sure he will do fine; the Republican Crony Welfare System will take good care of him.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:53 amIt’s always a “distraction.”
July 16th, 2008 at 3:49 am“… his post on the Secure Borders and Open Doors Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Advisory Council… ”
I’ll bet Payne was very good at the Open Doors part.
July 16th, 2008 at 6:33 am“Payne, you’ve been caught on hidden camera taking bribes from people who want access to our top players. You know the rules about these kinds of things. You got caught, so you’re fired. And the lesson you better take away from this is, ‘Don’t get caught.’ ”
Sadly, that is the only lesson anyone in the administration will take away from this, “Don’t get caught.” Not “Accepting huge presidential library donations in exchange for meeting with top government officials is wrong.” Just “Don’t get caught. It embarrasses the president.”
July 16th, 2008 at 6:35 amI, too, thought he would get the Medal of Freedom, or at least a promotion. But this has just happened. Don’t be surprised if Payne gets an even better paying job within a few months.
Gregor Samsa Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 6:57 amNow this is an unexpected turn of events.
I thought for sure Payne was going to get a raise and a promotion.
He is a loyal Bushie and will probably be appointed to the IRS where he can collect taxes from middle Americans.
He should be arrested and charged with extortion – that’s what I saw and heard.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:18 amHow much $$$ really went into Stephen Payne’s or fellow Bushies pockets?
Pretty good criminal scam these evil wingnuts come up with, using the Bush Presidential Library for money laundering (though truly fitting)
July 16th, 2008 at 7:23 amThe Mafia would be proud of them…
Unfortunately this won’t keep the Cheerleader turned Politician from becoming governor of Texas.
July 16th, 2008 at 7:31 amThe only reason that he was asked to step down is because he broke the cardinal rule of this administration: Don’t make news.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:14 amPerceived? PERCEIVED????
July 16th, 2008 at 8:24 amGood after noon
Thanks for this blog
Mor Inof
July 16th, 2008 at 8:28 amhttp://www.softonlinesoft.com/vb
Thank for this blog
Mor Inof
July 16th, 2008 at 8:29 amhttp://www.softonlinesoft.com/vb/index.php
Is BRIBERY the correct term in this case, or is it EXTORTION? Payne wasn’t telling people, I will give you money, he was saying give me money.
July 16th, 2008 at 10:47 am