The “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians for 2009” list has been announced by Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, The list is compiled at the end of each year. The list, in alphabetical order, includes:
Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT): This marks two years in a row for Senator Dodd, who made the 2008 "Ten Most Corrupt" list for his corrupt relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and for accepting preferential treatment and loan terms from Countrywide Financial, a scandal which still dogs him. In 2009, the scandals kept coming for the Connecticut Democrat. In 2009, Judicial Watch filed a Senate ethics complaint against Dodd for undervaluing on his Senate Financial Disclosure forms a property he owns in
Senator John Ensign (R-NV): A number of scandals popped up in 2009 involving public officials who conducted illicit affairs, and then attempted to cover them up with hush payments and favors, an obvious abuse of power. The year's worst offender might just be Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA): Judicial Watch is investigating a $12 million TARP cash injection provided to the Boston-based OneUnited Bank at the urging of Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank.
Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner: In 2009, Obama Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner admitted that he failed to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes from 2001-2004 on his lucrative salary at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an organization with 185 member countries that oversees the global financial system.
Attorney General Eric Holder: Tim Geithner can be sure he won't be hounded about his tax-dodging by his colleague Eric Holder,
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)/ Senator Roland Burris (D-IL): One of the most serious scandals of 2009 involved a scheme by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to sell President Obama's then-vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. Two men caught smack dab in the middle of the scandal: Senator Roland Burris, who ultimately got the job, and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.
President Barack Obama: During his presidential campaign, President Obama promised to run an ethical and transparent administration. However, in his first year in office, the President has delivered corruption and secrecy, bringing Chicago-style political corruption to the White House.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): At the heart of the corruption problem in
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and the rest of the PMA Seven: Rep. John Murtha made headlines in 2009 for all the wrong reasons. The
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY): Rangel, the man in charge of writing tax policy for the entire country, has yet to adequately explain how he could possibly "forget" to pay taxes on $75,000 in rental income he earned from his off-shore rental property. He also faces allegations that he improperly used his influence to maintain ownership of highly coveted rent-controlled apartments in
There are further explanations about corruption why each politician was chosen at Judicial Watch.
Are there other politicians you would like to add to this list? Use the Comments area at the end of this article to nominate your own corrupt politician nomination.
To keep current on articles by the Watchdog Politics Examiner, click on RSS or Subscribe at the top of the article.
Comments
I'd add Rahm Emanuel to that list as well.
You might want to mention that Judicial Watch is a conservative group, which helps to explain the overwhelming predominance of Democrats on their list of corrupt politicians...
I wished Bill could have reached out and smacked that fat freak.
lets not forget dick durbin after a privilege meeting with paulson
in 2008 durbin became a master wizard of the stock market sold off hie money market funds before the collapse. many more in washington
the part that gets to me the most is these people go to washington with $5.00 dollars in there pockets and they leave with millions
Earl says: You might want to mention that Judicial Watch is a conservative group, which helps to explain the overwhelming predominance of Democrats on their list of corrupt politicians...
The prisons and jails too are full of Democrats. Why do you think the Democrat party want them to vote?
I SAY ALL OF THEM ARE CORRUPT BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, INCLUDED HILLARY CLINTON AND THE U.N. THESE PEOPLE ARE DESTROYING THIS ONCE GREAT COUNTRY, I SAY IF YOU CAN'T ADHERE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND YOU CANNOT KEEP YOUR OATH IT IS TIME FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO TAKE A STAND AND START BY REMOVING THESE OATHBREAKERS AND REPLACE THEM WITH OATHKEEPERS WHO TAKE THEIR OATH SERIOUSLY, I WOULD WORK FOR FREE JUST TO RUN THESE TRAITORS OUT OF OFFICE AT LEAST I HAVE READ THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND I KNOW WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE. THESE LIES LIKE HEALTHCARE, BAILOUTS, CLIMATE CHANGE, ETC. IS ALL LIES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIED TO, I SAY IF YOU ARE AN REAL AMERICAN AND YOU LOVE YOU COUNTRY I CHALLENGE YOU AS AMERICANS TO TAKE A STAND AND RUN THESE TRAITORS OUT OF OFFICE, AND HAVE THE U.N. DISBAN AND RUN THEIR ASSES OUT OF OUR COUNTRY, LETS RESTORE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND RESTORE OUR COUNTRY, IF YOUR BUTTS ARE IN THIS IDEA THEN, LOSE IT! SGT DONALD RUTLEDGE
What kind of M@ssholes keep voting Bawney Fwank back in???? UNBELIEVABLE THAT PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND MURTHA KEEP GETTING REELECTED.
Kosher Nostra, I'm with you there! I'd add Maxine Waters, Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein, just because I don't like them and they have been in office waaaaay too long. Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu, also for their pay to play antics.
if you're rich and powerful, the general rules don't apply to them, this is how it goes. I've been keeping my greasy two eyes on Nancy Pelosi for years, she can bring in my New Year anytime.
Unbelievable says: UNBELIEVABLE THAT MURTHA KEEP GETTING REELECTED.
Remember, just before the election Murtha called HIS OWN voters rednecks and stupid racists. Then they voted him back in. They get what they deserve.
The problem is that WE too are effected.
Where is Chicago's Mayor Daley's name on the list?
this is some hard-hitting journalism you've got here. really comprehensive.
I heard of abbreviated lists before, but your list of ten (10) most corrupt dolts beats them all. At a minimum, your list should include the names of at least 535 sleazy corrupters---thieves and bandits is a better characterization.
I think the Examiner is rather corrupt itself in its spurring of zealots and dogmatic conservatives by not reporting on abuses by Republicans alike. We cannot become so delusional ourselves that we only blame the Democrats for the mess in Washington. Many politicians are indeed corrupt...on both sides. Let's not single out only one party to advance our agenda. If our agenda is pure in intent, should we also not include ourselves?
Republicans and Democrats both can be corrupt. This country is corrupt period without politicans you have police officers as well as laywers. America is just becoming more and more corrupt.
Diogenes died in Washington about 30 years ago
No.1 is Asif Zardari from Pakistan
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!