Parties Spar Over Currie
The FBI investigation of Sen. Ulysses Currie has sparked a war of words between leaders of Maryland's political parties, with Republicans saying the Prince George's lawmaker is part of "a culture of corruption" in Annapolis and Democrats defending his integrity.
Following last week's raid of Currie's home and the headquarters of a grocery chain for whom he has consulted, Maryland GOP Chairman James Pelura called on Currie to step down, at least temporarily, as chairman of the powerful Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
"The people of Maryland place their trust and faith in honest government, but unfortunately, the question is not whether we will discover another corrupt, Democratic legislator, but when?" Pelura said in a statement.
In a statement issued yesterday, Maryland Democratic Party Chairman Michael Cryor said that Currie had earned "bipartisan respect and praise for his integrity and fairness."
"We would be wise to reserve judgment on any man or woman with such a track record until all the facts are in and the scrutiny has run its course," Cryor said, accusing Republicans of using "a smear tactic to score political points."
Currie has not disclosed his consulting activities for Shoppers Food and Pharmacy in ethics filings.
Prosecutors yesterday issued a wide-ranging subpoena, seeking documents and computer files from his office and that of his committee.
By John Wagner |
June 3, 2008; 8:36 AM ET
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John Wagner
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Posted by: Why not file? | June 3, 2008 9:29 AM
My issue is this story posting by the Post's John Wagner.
This is not news, this is stale reporting. The comments "reported" in this posting are from last week. Plus, to quote irrelevant comments from a worn press release by the GOP chairman is simply lazy on Mr. Wagner's part.
Obviously there is a story brewing here. The Sun seems to be all over this with some new insights as to what is going on.
I would suggest that the crack staff of Washington Post's Blog Posters get out from behind their desks and actually do a few of the things they learned in journalism class.
Who What Why When
Not go to the fax machine, retype press release, complain about the burden of having to retype the press release.
Did it ever occur to you folks that the Feds are squeezing ole Uly for information on some of his colleagues? Or maybe there is something going on over at Shopper's Food Warehouse? Who does SFW resell bulk to? Those are the type of questions you pursue - not what Jim Perula says to make his party appear relevant.
Poor Mrs. Graham. What she must be thinking . . .
Posted by: PG'er | June 3, 2008 10:18 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Why did't he disclose his consulting relationship? Isn't he the guy who slipped the computer tax into the special session at the last minute without public hearings?