Edolphus Towns, Waxman's Replacement, Was Once Target Of Federal Probe

Poised to succeed the legendary Henry Waxman as chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Brooklyn congressman Ed Towns was once the target himself of a federal probe.

While Towns was not indicted, his videotaped receipt of a cash payment in an undercover operation raises questions about his appropriateness to head the House's premier investigations committee, particularly at a time when it may be called upon to probe the financial scandals that led to the current economic meltdown.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[personalpolitical]

C'mon, who hasn't been targeted in a federal probe? I've been in at least half a dozen. :P

[ptarantino]

If he missed 5 out of 6 recent oversight hearings for the wall street robbery, how the hell can he be in charge of oversight???

[Gushall]

ethical deficiency? No way. He's a Democrat.

[Transcendentobserver]

Reality check folks: Ethical behavior is an unfortunatlly rare attribute and has nothing to do with whether or not one is indicted, charged, or convicted. In taking the cash and not immediately upbraiding the tenderer, the guy was projected an ethical deficiency. His subsequent rationalizations as reported only reinforced this character defect, although relatively minor by bi-partisan politics. Obama's message for a watershed change in moral civics resonated in the last two elections, and was given substance by the PE's apparent response to attempts in Illinois to diminish his senatorial legacy--if the news accounts are accurate, of course.

Let Edolphus continue to represent his constituency; they apparently are satisfied which his long service on his behalf despite his character flaw. He is not much different than most of us. But to chair the committee charged with responsibility for overseeing and considering remedial options???? Hardly the Change we voted for, and certainly not the CHANGE WE NEED!

[hortonhearsawho2]

So a credit card or a check and Poof, nothing happened.

[Bettysdad]

Let;s see.

Wasn't indicted, that means he couldn't have been convicted.

And the point is ...?

[1murillo]

Here, here!

"Was once the target of a federal probe....raises questions."

Investigated, accused, arrested, indicted, tried, convicted, sentenced.

Investigating Townsend doesn't mean he's guilty. That's childish thinking.

[SecretSquirrel666]

Did you actually read the article? He took the money and gave it back after he was tipped off to the investigation. But I guess a successful crook who doesn't get caught is a good thing in the halls of power, according to some.

[Independentjunkie]

Wow did the republicans just extend their corruption into the democrats heads?

same crap we have had before...with repubs

[Smurfysax]

What gives with some of these stories. My gosh, I'm sure I said or did something 25 to 30 years ago that I definitely wouldn't repeat today. these folks act as if they have never done any wrong a day in their lives.

I would liek to see a show of hands of all readers that have NEVER committed a wrong act, EVER in their life? Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. I THOUGHT SO!!!

[newshawk14]

This happened 26 years ago, if he's kept to the straight and narrow since then, I'm comfortable.
If not we'll have to return to the Keating Five scandal and McCain's failure to tell about his wife's
business partnership with Keating, which I definitely think was a sin of omission.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Did anyone bother to read the story?

It is 100% suspicion and 0% substance from 26 years ago.

It's amazing what passes for journalism these days.

[pozmomia]

I read it. The fact was he stuffed $1300 in his pocket and then returned it a few days later. I would feel better about it if the article didn't include the fact that he was tipped off.

I'm sorry, but I'm not a big fan of 30 year Congresscritters of any party. And we need to get to the place where we recognize there are plenty of great citizens in this country that would never take a bribe in the first place. I look at the stellar, world class people Obama is surrounding himself with and then I look at the bumbling leaders of Congress who refuse to police themselves.

My prediction - 98% of President Obama's problems will come from the Democrats in Congress.

[newshawk14]

I somewhat agree, but I want to know how he has conducted himself in the
intervening 26 years. I disagree with the idea that democrats are going to be
the primary source of his problems, there are enough abysmally stupid, and
anal retentive republicans out there, to make life more than a little difficult.

[Eyewideopen]

Surely you don't think this blog is the product of "real journalism"?

[JohnCochtosten]

Well, you know I'm sure Al Capone kept an eye on Elliot Ness too. Someone has to watch the watchdogs, am I right?

[Yermammy]

That chair belongs to Dennis Kucinich. How about some guts for a change.

[Eyewideopen]

It does not. Grow up.