It's Business as Usual for Tom DeLay
October 3, 2005
Washington, DC - This morning on Fox News Sunday, Tom DeLay asserted that he will continue to do his job behind the scenes, continuing his "simpatico" relationship with House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
During the interview, DeLay also continued to deny that he had anything to do with the day-to-day operation of TRMPAC. However, internal TRMPAC emails and memoranda demonstrate that Tom DeLay personally accepted checks on behalf of TRMPAC, provided them with guidance from political strategists, and was involved in finance committee meetings and fundraising events.
"It's appalling to hear that Tom DeLay plans to guide Republican strategy behind closed doors and carry on the culture of corruption that is running rampant in Washington today," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. "We have to change the way business is done in Washington. We need leadership that will focus on the critical issues we are facing so we can rebuild America."
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See below for a new document from DNC Research:
THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF: AFTER LOSING HIS LEADERSHIP POST, DELAY IS STUCK ON DENIAL
I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT
WALLACE: Let's get to the key question. How much did Tom DeLay know about this?
DELAY: As it was going on, nothing. I had nothing to do with the day-to-day operation.
Except Tom DeLay Personally Accepted Checks on Behalf of TRMPAC. In an email to Warren Robold, a TRMPAC supporter writes that he finally [has] the 2 checks from Reliant which he will deliver to TD next week probably. [Email from Drew Maloney to Warren Robold, 9/4/02]
He Personally Provided TRMPAC With Assistance with Leading Strategists. In a TRMPAC memorandum, DeLay is identified as an ardent advocate who is helping TRMPAC by raising money, making phone calls, serving as a special guest at events, and providing assistance with leading strategists. Another email from John Colyandro to Jim Ellis and Warren Robold asks them to call someone working on an upcoming fundraising event and tell him how important he is and how important this is to TD. [TRMPAC Memorandum to Boone Pickens from Diane Diesel, 2002; Email from Jim Ellis to John Colyandro and Warren Robold, 9/18/02]
And He Was Personally Involved in TRMPAC Finance Committee Meetings and Fundraising Events. In an email to Warren Robold, John Colyandro, and Susan Lilly, a TRMPAC supporter makes sure they know that DeLay will want to see a list of attendees for an upcoming event at the Austin Club. In addition, DeLay personally updated members of the TRMPAC Finance Committee on their efforts to date and strategy for victory as well as calling Tim Milovich, CEO of Questerra (a company that was later indicted in the TRMPAC scandal) to make sure he knew about an upcoming TRMAPC Finance Committee Meeting. [Email from chris@goptoday.com to Warren Robold, Susan Lilly, and John Colyandro, 7/26/02; TRMPAC Memorandum from Susan Lilly, 10/5/02; Fax Cover Page from Lilly and Company, 8/6/02]
ETHICS ADMONISHMENTS ARE JUST CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM?
DELAY: Admonishments are not sanctions handed out for violating the rules of the house. That's the opinion of the committee as to what I've been doing… [An admonishment] is like a warning ticket…I took that as constructive criticism, but it was not a sanction for violating the rules of the House.
ADMONISHMENT 1: DeLay Received Private Admonishment for Continuing with Gingrichs K Street Project. In 1999, the House Ethics Committee sent a letter to DeLay privately admonishing him for pushing the Electronics Industry Association to hire former Rep. Bill Paxon (R-NY) as a lobbyist instead of former Rep. Dave McCurdy (D-OK). The plan was part of DeLays push to load K Street power lobbying firms with Republicans, which he re-launched in 2004, despite being admonished for it by the Ethics Committee in 1999. [Roll Call, 5/17/99, 3/12/01, 2/11/04; National Journal, 6/12/99, 5/5/01; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, editorial, 7/27/01; Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 5/15/1999]
ADMONISHMENT 2: House Ethics Committee Admonished DeLay for Bribes for Votes. DeLay violated House standard procedure and kept the 15-minute House vote on Medicare open for 3 hours. Later on, the House Ethics Committee conducted an investigation into whether DeLay threatened and bribed representatives into voting the Medicare law, including a large contribution of $100,000-plus for the campaign of the son of a member of Congress. [Washington Post, 2/6/04, 10/1/04; New York Times, 2/10/04]
ADMONISHMENT 3-A: Westar Traded Cash To DeLay in Exchange for Seat At The Table During Energy Bill Negotiations. An energy company, Westar, gave more than $56,000 in cash to DeLay for a seat at the table during energy bill negotiations. As a result, language was added to a bill that specifically benefited Westar. [Wichita Eagle, 5/17/03, Washington Post, 10/7/04, Lawrence Memo, Suggested Campaign Contributions, 5/17/02]
ADMONISHMENT 3-B: DeLay Abused Leadership Position and Used Influence To Track Private Airplane. DeLay abused his leadership position and used his influence to direct the Department of Homeland Security track a private airplane carrying Democratic members of the Texas legislature who were rebelling against a DeLay-led Texas redistricting plan. [WP, 10/7/04]
ADMONISHMENT 4, PENDING: Committee Will Decide Whether to Pursue Action Based on TRMPAC. The House Ethics Committee deferred action on another complaint dealing with DeLays fundraising group TRMPAC. A Texas grand jury in September 2004 indicted three of DeLay's political associates on charges of using TRMPAC to illegally collect corporate donations and funnel them to Texas legislative races. The ethics committee said it will take no action on the matter "pending further action" concerning the indictments or the Texas-based investigation that prompted them. [Washington Post, 10/7/04]
FIVE TIMES IS A CHARM: In Order to Prevent DeLay from Being Admonished Again, House Ethics Chairman Replaced By Hastert. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert released Joel Hefley of his duties as Chairman of the House Ethics Committee and appointed party loyalist Doc Hastings to the post. The House Republican Caucus approved the measure. It was done because Mr. Hefleys time had run out, said John Feehery, a spokesman for Mr. Hastert. [New York Times, 2/3/05]
THE FINEST MEN HE'S KNOWN…ARE ALL UNDER INDICTMENT
DELAY: I do know that John Colyandro, Warren Robold, and Jim Ellis are the finest men I've known. They are men committed to the cause of freedom in America.
JOHN COLYANDRO - UNDER INDICTMENT. Colyandro was indicted on charges that he circumvented the laws barring corporate campaign contributions in order to orchestrate the successful GOP takeover of the Texas House. He is also charged with making a corporate contribution in violation of the Texas Election Code and with making a political contribution to a political party within 60 days of an election in violation of the Texas Election Code. Colyandro faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution. He and Warren Robold have also been charged with conspiracy to violate both provisions of the Texas Election Code. [Star Telegram, 9/15/05; National Journal, 9/14/05]
WARREN ROBOLD - UNDER INDICTMENT. Warren Robold was indicted on charges that he had circumvented Texas state laws barring corporate campaign contributions. He is also charged with making a corporate contribution in violation of the Texas Election Code and with making a political contribution to a political party within 60 days of an election in violation of the Texas Election Code. He and John Colyandro are also charged with conspiracy to violate both provisions of the Texas Election Code. [Star Telegram, 9/15/05]
JIM ELLIS - UNDER INDICTMENT. In 2004 Ellis was indicted on charges that he had circumvented the laws barring corporate campaign contributions in his zeal to orchestrate the successful GOP takeover of the Texas House. [Star Telegram, 9/15/05]
ONE TRUE STATEMENT: NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE
WALLACE: …This week, even though you had to step aside as Majority Leader…you will keep a prominent role in the leadership…What does that mean?
DELAY: What that means is I get to continue my partnership with the Speaker…We think the same. I mean, we -- we are simpatico, if you will.
WALLACE: Will you continue to raise millions of dollars?
DELAY: Absolutely.
WALLACE: And you think you'll be back in the leadership of the Republican Party?
DELAY: …I can do my job with or without the title.
