Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL): Part Of The Abramoff-DeLay Web Of Corruption

Today the LA Times reveals that Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) dispensed political favors to Tom DeLay’s allies in return for political contributions.

In late 2003, Weldon earmarked $1.55 million in a federal appropriations bill for the Labor Department to fund a program for small businesses. The money was then awarded to the Florida Institute of Technology, who not coincidentally hired a company called Map Roi. Florida Tech’s Apr. 2004 press release read, “U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon was instrumental in bringing Map Roi to Florida Tech.”

Weldon’s earmark was a political favor for DeLay’s former aide, Ed Buckham. His lobbying firm, the Alexander Strategy Group represented Map Roi and held 500,000 shares of Map Roi stock.

What the LA Times article leaves out is how closely Buckham and Christopher Stahl, Map Roi’s CEO, were working to influence Weldon:

– On June 30, 2003, Map Roi’s CEO donated $1500 to Weldon. On that same day, Buckham donated $2000.

– On March 26, 2004 (a few days before Florida Tech’s announcement), Map Roi’s CEO donated $1000 and Buckham gave $500.

All of these donations came shortly before or after Weldon earmarked the $1.55 million for Map Roi. Also not surprisingly, Buckham and the Alexander Strategy Group first acquired Map Roi as a client with the help of Jack Abramoff.