USA: Scandal: Abramhoff bipartisan scandal hits Sens Burns (R), Dorgan (D) & Reid (D Sen Leader); Reps Hayworth (R), Ney (R)

The Abramhoff scandal that has infected the US Congress in both Houses is under the scrutiny of the Justice Department (DoJ), and will be addressed in tiers. The topmost tier which was just made public will address persons in Congress with leadership roles there. Reporters Jerry Seper and Audrey Hudson of the Washington Times give us these details:

A Justice Department investigation into influence-peddling on Capitol Hill is focusing on a "first tier" of lawmakers and staffers, both Republicans and Democrats, say sources close to the probe that has netted guilty pleas from lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Law-enforcement authorities and others said the investigation's opening phase is scrutinizing Sens. Conrad Burns, Montana Republican; Byron L. Dorgan, North Dakota Democrat; and Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, along with Reps. J.D. Hayworth, Arizona Republican, and Bob Ney, Ohio Republican.

A source working with the Justice Department on the investigation told The Washington Times that Abramoff was questioned during several interviews about the lawmakers and their purported ties to the lobbyist and his former clients.

The source said prosecutors asked Abramoff whether the lawmakers had performed "official acts" in exchange for campaign cash or other favors. Although it is unknown whether any of the five will be charged in the case, the source said Abramoff was being "prepped" by five Justice Department attorneys in that event.

Others familiar with the investigation confirmed the names of the three Republican and two Democratic legislators.

All five lawmakers said that they have not done anything illegal and that all their dealings with Abramoff and his clients were legitimate.

It's more than clear that both the USA and Canada are bedevilled with cultures of corruption in both the one's Congress, and the other's Parliament. In the USA, the Congressional scandals affect both parties and both Houses. In Canada, the Parliamentary scandal is at the same time a scandal of the Liberal Party and of the Liberal Government over many years. At present, persons under investigation in Canada's Parliament are still sitting and still campaigining in the upcoming election.

It seems that Canada's Conservative Party leader and probably next Head of Government should he win the election has something to offer both countries: a promised draconian new law on Accountablity. This in itself is sufficient reason to elect him. The Liberals have had their chance to do their own house cleaning, and to legislate a new way of making their past behaviours impossible in the future. They have not chosen this route. They must go down. - Politicarp