Why is the House Appropriations Committee stonewalling the House Intelligence Committee’s probe into Cunningham’s corruption?
If there were fewer Republican-corruption scandals floating around, this would be front-page news:
The House Intelligence Committee is investigating the misconduct of its former member, Duke Cunningham (R-Penitentiary). Cunningham was also a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and used those memberships to misdirect at least $70 million in defense and intelligence contracts in return for millions in bribes.
Yes, you knew that. But here’s the kicker:
The House Appropriations Committee, whose Chairman, another California whacko Republican, is also under criminal investigation for bribery, has refused to cooperate with the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation of Cunningham.
Can you say “cover-up”? I was sure you could.
Author: Mark Kleiman
Professor of Public Policy at the NYU Marron Institute for Urban Management and editor of the Journal of Drug Policy Analysis. Teaches about the methods of policy analysis about drug abuse control and crime control policy, working out the implications of two principles: that swift and certain sanctions don't have to be severe to be effective, and that well-designed threats usually don't have to be carried out.
Books:
Drugs and Drug Policy: What Everyone Needs to Know (with Jonathan Caulkins and Angela Hawken)
When Brute Force Fails: How to Have Less Crime and Less Punishment (Princeton, 2009; named one of the "books of the year" by The Economist
Against Excess: Drug Policy for Results (Basic, 1993)
Marijuana: Costs of Abuse, Costs of Control (Greenwood, 1989)
UCLA Homepage
Curriculum Vitae
Contact: Markarkleiman-at-gmail.com
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