The Continuing Culture of Corruption

posted by The Vidiot @ 6:24 PM Permalink

Broadcast Chief Misused Office, Inquiry Reports

State Department investigators have found that the head of the agency overseeing most government broadcasts to foreign countries has used his office to run a “horse racing operation� and that he improperly put a friend on the payroll, according to a summary of a report made public on Tuesday by a Democratic lawmaker.

The report said that the official, Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, had repeatedly used government employees to perform personal errands and that he billed the government for more days of work than the rules permit.

The summary of the report, prepared by the State Department inspector general, said the United States attorney’s office here had been given the report and decided not to conduct a criminal inquiry.

Gee, Tomlinson, now where have I heard that name before? Oh yeah ...

Mr. Tomlinson, a Republican with close ties to the White House, was ousted last year from another post, at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, after another inquiry found evidence that he had violated rules meant to insulate public television and radio from political influence.
[...]
A spokeswoman for the White House, Emily Lawrimore, said President Bush continued to support Mr. Tomlinson’s renomination. Ms. Lawrimore declined to comment on the State Department report.
[...]
Investigators who seized Mr. Tomlinson’s e-mail, telephone and office records found that he had improperly and extensively used his office at the broadcasting board for nongovernmental work, including work for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the horse racing and breeding ventures. The material seized included racing forms and evidence that he used the office to buy and sell thoroughbreds.
[...]
People who have seen the report said it noted that Mr. Tomlinson, on his lawyer’s advice, ended an interview with investigators early. One person familiar with the inquiry said Mr. Hamilton ended the interview as the investigators began to ask about using the office for horse racing business. Mr. Hamilton would not comment about the interview.

Let's get this straight: After failing in his efforts to use propaganda on the American people and getting caught abusing his office he gets promoted to propagandizing everyone else in the world.

Then he gets investigated for fraud, gambling and abusing his office again. But the DoJ declines to prosecute. I wonder who made that determination? I'm betting it was a Bushco political appointee and not a career lawyer.

And now he's up for renomination to the office he abused and has Bush's 'continued support.'

Sheesh, sounds like he's in line for a 'Mettle in Freedumb' award.