Congressional Tab for Copenhagen Trip a Mere $1.1 Million

Don't worry about any of this. As of tomorrow night we'll be entering the new era of fiscal responsibility or something by lopping off 37 cents in federal spending now that Obama will pretend to be a fiscal conservative or populist after a year of bankrupting us.

Thanks to a recently filed Congressional expense reports there's new light shed on the Copenhagen Climate Summit in Denmark and how much it cost taxpayers.

CBS News Investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports official filings and our own investigation show at least 106 people from the House and Senate attended - spouses, a doctor, a protocol expert and even a photographer.

For 15 Democratic and 6 Republican Congressmen, food and rooms for two nights cost $4,406 tax dollars each. That's $2,200 a day - more than most Americans spend on their monthly mortgage payment.

CBS News asked members of Congress and staff about whether they're mindful that it's public tax dollars they're spending. Many said they had never even seen the bills or the expense reports.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., is a key climate change player. He went to Copenhagen last year. Last week, we asked him about the $2,200-a-day bill for room and food.

"I can't believe that," Rep. Waxman said. "I can't believe it, but I don't know."

he can't believe what he doesn't know. Sure, that makes sense.

But his name is in black and white in the expense reports. The group expense report was filed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. She wouldn't talk about it when our producer tried to ask.

Questions are for the little people. How dare CBS try to question The Queen!

By the way, I have just as much contempt for the Republicans wasting our money on this fiasco. The hubris and arrogance of Pelosi and Waxman, however, is beyond the pale. They are so out of touch with what's going on in this country and they're so arrogant to not even answer questions about recklessly spending our money. Imagine their shock when they're voted out of the majority in November.

Note also this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what was actually spent. Don't forget TelePrompter Man brought at least 60 people along for this failed junket.

Thanks to Ed Morrissey for the link.

Joe Bruno Guilty on Two Felony Counts

He's a Republican, so it'll be big news. No need to play name that party.

Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, the Republican kingpin who became a symbol of New York's clubby political culture, was convicted Monday on two of eight felony federal corruption counts.

The long-awaited verdict sends an ominous warning to the entire Albany establishment.

An upstate jury of seven women and five men found Bruno guilty on two counts, acquitted him on five, and did not come to agreement on an eight.

Bruno was convicted of taking 11 payments from companies for consulting work he never performed.

He was also convicted on of failing to disclose his participation in a partnership involving thoroughbred race horses.

He faces up to 20 years in jail on each count when sentenced March 31.

Leaving the courthouse, a shaken Bruno promised an appeal.

"It goes without saying that I'm very very disappointed in the verdict that I just heard and the legal process is going to continue," Bruno said. "In my mind and in my heart, it is not over until it's over. And I think it's far from over."

Bruno was arch-enemy of Client No. 9, Eliot Spitzer, who unleashed the state police and his goons against Bruno in the Troopergate scandal. Spitzer was never held accountable for that egregious indiscretion and now spends his time giving ethics lectures at Harvard.

Now 80, it seems unlikely Bruno will be seeing any substantial jailtime, if any.

Mr. Bruno was released on his own recognizance. U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe declined requests by prosecutors that Mr. Bruno turn in his passport.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Pericak declined immediate comment.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 31. Defense lawyer William Dreyer said he would file a motion to dismiss the conviction and, if that fails, would appeal.

Prosecutors have said they want restitution but haven't calculated the precise amount, or the potential prison term. Authorities initially said he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

Last week Democrat State Senator Hiram Monserratte was given probation and a minor fine for the beating of his girlfriend so considering Bruno's offenses and age, a fine seems likely.

AG Announces Crackdown on Corrupt Politicians, Democratic Party Immediately Disbands

In light of the recent hijinx from corrupt Democrat office holders, this news is most welcome.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey vowed anew Thursday to crack down on crooked politicians and public officials, dismissing critics who accuse the Justice Department of letting partisan loyalties interfere with corruption cases.

Mukasey's comments came hours after prosecutors charged Puerto Rico's Democratic-leaning governor in a campaign finance probe that began more than two years ago.

Additionally, Mukasey said that a multibillion-dollar overseas contracting loophole that was quietly slipped into Justice Department plans to protect taxpayers' money "shouldn't happen."

All were part of the attorney general's rhetorical assault on public corruption, which he called one of his top priorities.

Democrat-leaning? Good grief. Hello! He's a Barack Obama superdelgate, for crying out loud.

Seriously though, to be fair, there are more than enough crooked Republicans littering the trail in recent years, and I have nothing but contempt for them as well.

The Justice Department has brought numerous corruption cases over the last several years targeting Democrats and Republicans alike. In 2006, the latest data available, Justice prosecutors charged nearly 1,200 federal, state and local government employees in public integrity cases — a 20 percent increase from a decade ago.

During his speech, Mukasey pointedly spoke of charges brought against two former Republican congressmen: Randy "Duke" Cunningham of California and Bob Ney of Ohio. He did not mention charges brought hours earlier against Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila, who faces 19 counts in a campaign finance probe. Twelve others associated with Acevedo's Popular Democratic Party also were indicted Thursday.

Other high-profile lawmakers facing Justice Department charges include Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., in a land scam case, and Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., for allegedly taking bribes. Also under scrutiny by the FBI or congressional investigators are at least eight current House and Senate lawmakers. Democrat Eliot Spitzer resigned as New York's governor earlier this month after a federal wiretap caught him arranging trysts with a prostitute.