Richard Tafoya
Sep 26th, 2006, 03:59 PM
Don't they have remedial ethics and corruption rehabilitation classes for these folks?
AP:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/09/26/bass_staffer_posed_as_liberal_blogger/
A top aide resigned from U.S. Rep. Charles Bass' office in Washington on Tuesday after admitting he posted misleading messages to political blogs using a government computer, Bass said.
Tad Furtado, Bass' policy director, posted messages under the screen names IndyNH and IndieNH professing support for Bass' Democratic opponent, Paul Hodes, but discounting his chances of winning in November.
Furtado's actions were exposed after two bloggers traced the postings to the House of Representatives' computer server and Bass' office investigated.
Bass said he had no knowledge of the postings before last week and that Furtado, who's worked for him for eight years in several capacities prior to becoming policy director, had violated office policy.
Furtado said, "'I shouldn't have done it, I apologize and you are justified in taking any action you see fit,'" Bass said. "He is obviously very upset about it and not available for comment."
Bass said he also referred the matter to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for their review.
House ethics rules state that congressional staff time and equipment may not be used for campaign purposes, and that criminal and financial penalties can be assessed. The rules also say congressmen are responsible for their staff members' actions.
AP:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/09/26/bass_staffer_posed_as_liberal_blogger/
A top aide resigned from U.S. Rep. Charles Bass' office in Washington on Tuesday after admitting he posted misleading messages to political blogs using a government computer, Bass said.
Tad Furtado, Bass' policy director, posted messages under the screen names IndyNH and IndieNH professing support for Bass' Democratic opponent, Paul Hodes, but discounting his chances of winning in November.
Furtado's actions were exposed after two bloggers traced the postings to the House of Representatives' computer server and Bass' office investigated.
Bass said he had no knowledge of the postings before last week and that Furtado, who's worked for him for eight years in several capacities prior to becoming policy director, had violated office policy.
Furtado said, "'I shouldn't have done it, I apologize and you are justified in taking any action you see fit,'" Bass said. "He is obviously very upset about it and not available for comment."
Bass said he also referred the matter to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for their review.
House ethics rules state that congressional staff time and equipment may not be used for campaign purposes, and that criminal and financial penalties can be assessed. The rules also say congressmen are responsible for their staff members' actions.