Thursday, April 15, 2010

Hmm: NY Democrat Slapped With Federal Subpoena

Most of the media has ignored this corruption scandal involving New York Democrat Gregory Meeks but may now have to actually acknowledge it since he's been subpoenaed for documents dating back ten years.

Just another headache for the most ethical Congress ever.
A federal grand jury has slapped New York Rep. Gregory Meeks with a subpoena as part of what is shaping up to be a sweeping corruption probe of the Queens Democrat and other city lawmakers.

Meeks announced he had been subpoenaed Tuesday on the House floor, complying with rules that require members to publicly disclose when they are subpoenaed.

The Manhattan grand jury reportedly is seeking a slew of documents dating back to 2000.

Meeks received the subpoena about two weeks ago and disclosed it as soon as lawmakers returned this week from Congress’ spring break, said Meeks spokeswoman Lupe Todd. She would not provide more details of the grand jury probe.

“I’m being vague because it is an active subpoena and [Meeks’] attorneys have to look into it and respond to it,” Todd said. “But he is complying with the subpoena.”

Meeks has attracted scrutiny since a federal probe was launched over questions, first raised by The Post, about what became of money raised by a charity Meeks set up to help Hurricane Katrina victims.

The Post first reported that New Yorkers Organized to Assist Hurricane Families paid out only $1,392 of the roughly $31,000 it collected for victims of the New Orleans disaster.

The US Attorney's Office has launched a probe to find the missing money.
Maybe the money wound up in William Jefferson's freezer.

Meeks recently cried poverty despite living a lavish lifestyle.
Money is so tight, Representative Gregory W. Meeks says, he does not have a savings account with more than a few thousand dollars in it. And yet Mr. Meeks, one of New York City’s most prominent Democrats, lives a life worthy of a jet-setter.

When he travels, he stays in luxury hotels like the Mondrian South Beach in Miami and the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, P.R. He drives a Lexus, leased by the federal government, at a cost of $1,000 a month. He eats expensive meals at BLT Steak in Washington and Docks Oyster Bar in Manhattan, among other trendy spots.

And just a few years ago, he bought a $1 million house built for him in Queens by a local developer and campaign contributor.
He's learned well from his crook mentors Rangel and Sharpton.

No comments: