Steve Benen on NRCC chief fundraiser, Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL):
As a rule, when a member of Congress has drawn the interest of the FBI, the IRS, a federal grand jury, and the House Ethics Committee — all at the same time — the politician in question has a bit of a problem on his hands.
When this politician is tasked with raising money to keep his caucus in the majority, it suggests his party has a problem on its hands, too.
The thing that is truly remarkable is that Vern Buchanan has been under a cloud for years. CREW named him as one of the most corrupt members of Congress in both 2008 and 2009.
Witness tampering, obstruction of justice, and bribery are all in a day’s work for the ethically challenged Rep. Vern Buchanan.
The Sarasota congressman orchestrated an elaborate scheme that forced his employees to contribute to his campaign, ensuring they would be illegally reimbursed with corporate money.
Doubling down on the criminal behavior, he attempted to bribe a former business partner with almost $3 million in hush money in a clumsy attempt to cover up the conspiracy.
Rep. Buchanan is a three-term member of Congress, representing Florida’s 13th district. He was included in CREW’s 2008 and 2009 Most Corrupt Reports for related matters.
What did the Republicans expect? Did they seriously think putting this guy in charge of fundraising wouldn’t come back to bite them in the ass?
Here’s what I think. I think the whole culture of the GOP is so lousy with corruption that they don’t even see Rep. Buchanan as an outlier. Asking them why they picked this guy for such an important position is like asking Tony Soprano why he sent Paulie Walnuts to do a hit.
