Mr. Corruption - #274

#274 MARK ZACHARES,
SENIOR STAFFER ON THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

As if he's not in trouble enough with the Coconut Road Scandal, in which an earmark for a Florida road was inserted into the highway bill AFTER it passed by either Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Don Young of Alaska (GOP Cocksucker #289) or someone on his staff, Young has to consider Jack Abramoff (GOP Cocksucker #47) as well.

Why? Because of Mark Zachares, that's why. Zachares was also one of Rep. Young's staffers.

The feds had Zachares cold. Seriously. This 'patriotic American' was funneling information to Abramoff about the reorganization of the Homeland Security Department, federal disaster and highway aid, and maritime issues.

Zachares made a plea deal with the feds that if they didn't prosecute his wife, he'd roll on everyone he knew. Before you nod tersely and look on Zachares with the approval of a man protecting his wife, be aware that Zachares was terrified that if he DIDN'T deal with the feds, his WIFE would. And while she couldn't testify against HIM, she could give the feds the names of people who COULD.

Zachares would plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to deprive the public of honest services that included Abramoff giving him cash, $30,000 in sporting tickets and the promise of a high-paying lobbying job. He would also roll on his friends. In return, the feds would recommend 18-24 months of his life in prison and would not prosecute his wife.

Who is the most likely GOP cocksucker to fear what Zacharas may have said? It's not Young. It's none other than Rep. Tom Feeney of the Florida 24th. Feeney is up to his eyeballs in problems stemming from an infamous golfing trip to Scotland for which he charged the federal government over 5K as a 'fact-finding' trip.

[UPDATE: Feeney managed to run out the clock before getting trounced last year by 16 percentage points.]

S. Olson