Nov 14, 2007


Indefensible

The California Fair Political Practices Commission has taken the extraordinary step of requiring politicians to use money raised for their legal defense funds for legal defense.

As reported in today's Sacramento Bee, politicians not only raise money without disclosing why they need to defend themselves, but then funnel the money to cover such crucial legal strategies as day spa treatments, golf outings and chartered flights.

Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, gets singled out for his creativity. "Nearly half the money raised for his legal defense (out of a total of $150,000) went toward 'fundraising' expenses at lavish venues -- a Lake Tahoe day spa, two Hawaiian restaurants and one of the Pacific Northwest's premier golf courses, Bandon Dunes, in Oregon. Calderon also spent $7,092 on a chartered flight from Sacramento to Oregon, records showed."

Bold leadership pays off.

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