My friend Kip mentioned some of this last night, but here are more details on some of the highly questionable gifts George Allen and his staff have received, including $152,274 in privately funded trips since 2001. Fascinating, huh? This is EXACTLY why we need to replace George Allen with a man of courage and principles like Jim Webb.
Allen Said Gifts and Free Transportation are Okay as Long as It's Disclosed. Allen, who stressed ethics reform as one of his goals in the 1997 General Assembly, sent his spokesperson out to say that "he sees no impropriety in accepting free meals, lodging and transportation -- as long as the gifts are disclosed, said the spokesperson." "The cornerstone of reform is disclosure," she said. [The Washington Post, 11/19/97]
Allen Refused to Place Limits on Campaign Contributions. When Allen pushed for "ethics reform" in 1997, he "refused to endorse placing limits on campaign contributions. 'I'm not sure that is what is necessary,' he said. 'The point is you have disclosure so that there's scrutiny.' Unlike the federal government, which limits individual contributions to $1,000 per election cycle, Virginia allows donors to dump as much money as they desire into campaigns for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and other state and local offices." [Newport Daily Press, 3/20/97]
GOVERNOR GEORGE ALLEN: $132,000 IN FREE TRIPS OVER THREE YEARS
Allen Took $29,000 in Free Trips During First Year as Governor. "In 1994, the new governor took $29,000 in free trips, many to national Republican functions or campaign appearances for out- of-state GOP candidates. Allen accepted $6,400 in gifts from corporations and individual supporters last year, including two walnut rocking chairs worth $450, two pairs of boots, two jackets, a suit, a parka and an $800 Canon camera. He counted $2,200 worth of free transportation on four personal trips among his gifts." [AP, 1/17/96]
Allen Took $46,000 in Free Trips During Second Year as Governor. In 1995, Governor George Allen "took about $46,000 worth of trips paid by the state, corporations, lobbyists or individual supporters.The state paid for nearly a third of the governor's travel, with the biggest tab being $7,662 for his European trade mission. The state also paid for first lady Susan Allen to go on the trip but she did not file a disclosure form because she is not a state employee. Corporations, including Coca-Cola Bottling, MCI, Circuit City, Bassett Furniture, Norfolk Southern and the Rapoca coal company, provided chartered planes for other trips by the governor. Many of Allen's trips were made around the state to speak for Republican legislative candidates. Allen's campaign trips were financed by corporations or individual supporters." [AP, 1/17/96]
Allen Took $57,466 in Free Trips During Third Year as Governor. "In total, Allen listed $51,466 in costs for attending conferences or events paid for by the state, corporations, political groups or other organizations. Allen's trade missions to Europe, East Asia and the Middle East cost Virginia taxpayers $20,906. Allen listed six gifts worth a total of $ 3,542, which included Nikon binoculars valued at $ 250; accommodations from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, $1,200; accommodations at The Homestead, $1,152; and a rocking chair from the governor of Puerto Rico, $300." [Richmond Times Dispatch, 1/16/1997]
SENATOR ALLEN AND STAFF +óGé¼GÇ£ $152,275 IN FREE TRIPS SINCE 2001
In the Senate, Allen and His Staff Have Taken Over $152,274 in Privately Funded Trips Since 2001.
GEORGE ALLEN: Allen Took Over $24,000 Worth of Trips. Since 2001, Allen took $24,018 worth of privately funded trips to Las Vegas, Florida, Colorado Springs, California and other locations. The trips were paid for by PhRMA, Microsoft, the Heritage Foundation, NASDAQ, Consumer Electronic Association, CSX and other private companies. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure Forms]
CSX Corporation Sponsored Allen for Speaking Engagement at Luxury Resort. On May 25-28, 2002, Allen traveled to White Sulfur Springs, WV for a speaking engagement sponsored by the CSX Corporation, which owns and operates The Greenbrier in White Sulfur Springs. The Greenbrier is a AAA Five-Diamond resort where +óGé¼+ôguests enjoy over 50 recreational activities including three championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a 40,000 square foot spa and more.+óGé¼-¥ The trip was valued at over $1,100. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure, 7/15/02; www.greenbrier.com]
Frequent Flyer: Allen Staffer Took $28,257 Worth of Trips Around the World. Brent Perry is listed as the Allen+óGé¼Gäós current Deputy Legislative Director. Perry previously was a government account manager with Lexmark International. While on Allen+óGé¼Gäós staff Perry took trips to Florida, China, Brussels, Belgium, France, England, Romania, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Berlin, Brussels and Prague. The trips were sponsored by the Atlantic Council, the U.S./China Policy Foundation, the German Marshall Fund, Aspen Institute Berlin and Capitol One. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure Forms]
Big Spender: Trip to France and England for Six Days Cost Close to $11,000. Perry+óGé¼Gäós six day trip to Toulouse, France and Manchester, England cost close to $11,000. Perry went to focus on +óGé¼+ôinternational competition and trade, commercial aircraft manufacturing and related issues.+óGé¼-¥ The trip was sponsored by the European Institute. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure, 5/18/04]
Frequent Flyer: Allen Staffer Paul Unger Took Over $37,700 Worth of Trips. Paul Unger serves as Allen+óGé¼Gäós Counsel and Legislative Director. Unger took $37,762.76 worth of privately funded trips to Switzerland, Germany, New York, California, Armenia, France, Miami and other locations. The trips were paid for by AOL/Time Warner, The Business Roundtable, Business Software Alliance, the Nuclear Energy Institute, Yahoo, eBay, and other private companies. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure Forms]
Frequent Flyer/Traveling Through the Revolving Door: Allen Staffer Frank Cavaliere, Now Lobbyist for Vonage, Took Over $17,000 Worth of Trips. Frank Cavaliere served as George Allen+óGé¼Gäós deputy legislative director. While he was on Allen+óGé¼Gäós staff, Cavaliere took $18,576 worth of privately funded trips to Las Vegas, San Diego, New York, and other locations. The trips were paid for by Microsoft, IBM, the Information Technology Council, Bell South, the National Cable and Telecommunications Industry, and other private companies. Cavaliere is now Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs for Vonage. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure Forms; Congress Daily; 5/26/05]
Frequent Flyer: Allen Staffer Kristin Elder Took Over $14,600 Worth of +óGé¼+ôEducational Trips+óGé¼-¥ for Special Interests. Kristin Elder served as Allen+óGé¼Gäós Legislative Assistant. While she served on George Allen+óGé¼Gäós staff, Elder took $14,618 worth of privately funded trips to China, Bolivia, Salt Lake City, New York, Denver and other locations. The trips were paid for by the National Food Processors Association, Farm Credit Council, Population Action International, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, The American Meat Institute and other private companies. [U.S. Senate Employee Travel Disclosure Forms]