georgefearing.com

3/12/2008

Today, George Fearing denounced long-time Congressman Doc Hastings’ (R, WA-4) role in opposing independent Congressional ethics reform. Congress is currently considering a bill that would grant an independent office, comprised of non-lawmakers, the power to investigate members of Congress. According to The Hill, Doc Hastings is acting as the spokesman in opposing the bill. The bill passed last night by a 229 – 182 vote.

George Fearing, Democrat, is challenging Doc Hastings this fall and praised final passage of the bill. He stated “an independent body is essential to investigate charges of corruption in Washington since Congressmen ‘protect their own.’” Fearing noted that Doc Hastings served as chair of the House Ethics Committee from 2005 – 2006. During that time Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH), Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA), Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX) and Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) left Congress for corrupt or lewd behavior, while Hastings shut down the committee, with his firing of committee staff and the attempted appointment of his friend and staffer, Ed Cassidy, as the committee’s chief counsel. When the committee resumed operations, Chairman Hastings refused to address charges against Tom DeLay stating he considered the charges to constitute a “political vendetta.” Delay, who appointed Hastings to chair the committee, currently faces a criminal indictment.

Jack Abramoff, whose donations to Hastings refused to return, is now serving a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion. Fearing added that Hastings’ attack on ethics reform is a disgrace, because Hastings’ closure of the House Ethics Committee, in order to protect his friends, created the need for an independent body. “The courts and public pressure brought these members to justice, not Doc Hastings,” continued Fearing.

George Fearing also lamented the fact that the nonpartisan group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics has named Doc Hastings  one of America’s 22 most corrupt Congressmen. The group’s list contains Republicans and Democrats. Hastings made the list for inappropriate contact with U.S. Attorney John McKay.

George Fearing is an attorney in Kennewick, who has worked to end fraud and corruption in institutions. For more information on George, please visit www.georgefearing.com. He served on the Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary (Ethics) Board in 2002-3.