UPDATE: 11-02-09 SHE DENIES IT ALL ...
Update details can be found at:
Former Assemblyman Mike Duvall was not the only one allegedly screwed silly by two female lobbyists –- all Californians were screwed by a political system which refuses to investigate and sanction their own. The mere fact that the Assemblyman resigned his office in disgrace should not preclude a thorough investigation and sanctions against the former Assemblyman, his female companions and their corporate sponsors if wrongdoing can be demonstrated.
As reported by the Sacramento Bee …
FPPC won't investigate Duvall's alleged mistresses
“The state's political watchdog agency today rejected a request that it investigate the actions of two female lobbyists who allegedly engaged in affairs with ex-Assemblyman Mike Duvall.”
“Duvall, a married Republican, resigned last month after a tape surfaced of him boasting in graphic detail about his sexual trysts with two women. Both of the women referred to in the July conversation, which was recorded by a hot mike during an Assembly committee hearing, are reportedly lobbyists. One has been identified in media reports as a lobbyist for Sempra Energy, a utility company that Duvall was assigned to regulate as vice chairman of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee.”
“Common Cause, a government watchdog group, filed a complaint earlier this month asking the Fair Political Practices Commission to look into whether the relationships detailed in the tape violated a section of the Political Reform Act that prohibits lobbyists from performing acts that place elected officials ‘under personal obligation to the lobbyist.’"
The FPPC apparently does not recognize unreported “in kind” contributions …
FPPC Executive Director Roman Porter responded to the Common Cause complaint today, writing in a letter that the FPPC's interpretation of ‘personal obligation’ involves a financial arrangement. Common Cause had argued in its complaint that fear that a partner would publicly disclose or end the extramarital affair could render a lawmaker beholden to the lobbyist.”
Bottom Line …
Once again the political establishment protects its own. This demands a that concerned citizens everywhere take actions. Throw all of the bums, on both sides of the aisle, out of office. We need to take back our government and reward achievement rather than complacency and corruption. The time has come …
-- steve
Reference Links:
Capitol Alert: FPPC won't investigate Duvall's alleged mistresses
Oxymoron: California Assembly Ethics Committee turns its back on corruption?
Did a married representative screw his constituents when he was screwing an industry lobbyist? (Updated)
Read the complaint here.
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