Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Corruption)

Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) may have just taken the cake for corruption. And, literally, watch the cake. This guy might really take it.

Pombo gained some notoriety for an amendment he offered last year that would have essentially given a big thumps up to mining interests all over the west. It turns out that three months before he introduced that amendment, he had a huge fundraiser hosted by...wait for it...the mining industry. What a surprise.

I also got these news clips (now only available through Nexis apparently) in my inbox today:

The East Bay Express reported in August of 2005 that Rep. Pombo ignored a pressing transportation project in his own district but managed to secure funding for a different project that would build a highway system right next to major real estate holdings held by Pombo's family, allowing for millions in gains from development.

This same guy also billed taxpayers $4,100 so he could rent an RV for his vacation with his family and I'm also hearing that he gave all his committee staff a month paid leave right before election time so they could fan out while still on the federal dime to help Republicans get elected.

This man needs to be out of the House now.

--Matt Singer

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