Feeney's Full Of It!

Dear Democrats,

A week in Scotland, golf at some of the world's most famous courses, multi-course gourmet meals, luxury accommodations - wouldn't you think that would be a fantastic vacation? I certainly think so... and I don't even golf!

Curiously, corrupt Republican Congressman Tom Feeney thinks this is part of his job.

Elected to represent Florida's 24th District, Feeney has ended up ranked one of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress, in part because of his gallivanting to Scotland with now-convicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff under the auspices of a "fact-finding trip."

Feeney's full of it.

The Orlando Sentinel, Florida Today and the St. Petesburg Times have done some great reporting on this, but I need you to write letters to their editors to encourage them to keep following this story. Feeney's full of it, and Floridians know it.

The Abramoff scandal is just the latest in a long line of ethical issues for Tom Feeney. We remember when he violated rules and failed to report rental property on Congressional disclosure forms. And we remember when he took an unethical free trip to Korea paid for by the agent of a foreign principal.

Feeney claims he knew nothing of Abramoff's involvement in the golfing trip and thought that a non-profit was paying for a trip. But an email record shows that it was Abramoff's staff who told Feeney's staff the exact dollar amount to record for the cost.

A few months ago, a House ethics panel found the trip to be violation of the rules because, of course, Abramoff footed the bill. Feeney attempted to recompense with a $5,643 check to the U.S. Treasury.

Unfortunately, the Department of Justice estimates the trip, with eight participants, cost $160,000 - an average of $20,000 per person - not $5,643.

Where's that other $14,357? Feeney says he paid out of his own pocket for some expenses. The media must demand to see proof in the form of receipts and cancelled checks. Ask your local paper to turn up the heat and get documentation from Feeney. We can't trust Feeney at his word.

Feeney said he never did anything to help Abramoff. Turns out that he wrote a letter to the Department of Energy to oppose a rule change that an Abramoff client wanted stopped.

I need you to write letters to the editor and demand that the media continue asking the hard questions: Why did Abramoff's assistant send Feeney's office the same amount to report to the ethics panel as an Abramoff associate if Feeney paid for so much more himself? Why didn't he or his assistant tabulate the amount? Where's that other $14,357?

Feeney's says he did nothing wrong. But suspicion continues to swirl around him.

On April 19, 2007, the FBI raided Arizona Republican Congressman Rick Renzi's insurance company. Renzi's chief of staff is married to Feeney's former chief of staff, Jason Roe.

On April 24, 2007, Roe, who worked for Feeney during the Scotland trip, abruptly quit a high-ranking post at the flip-flopping Mitt Romney for President campaign.

This scandal is not over. Stay up to date with our new website: www.FeeneysFullofIt.com.

Without your action, we can't keep the pressure on corrupt Republicans. Please write a letter to your local editor today.

Thank you,



Congresswoman Karen L. Thurman
Chair, Florida Democratic Party

P.S. Please consider a contribution today to defeat corrupt Republicans in Congress in 2008. Every dollar counts. Thank you again.



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