UM Space Center Records Investigated. Investigators with the NASA Office of Inspector General spent last week at the University of Montana requesting and examining financial records associated with UM's beleaguered, NASA-funded Northern Rockies Center for Space Privatization and the startup business it created, the Inland Northwest Space Alliance. The investigators, who work for the federal government and are independent of NASA, were tight-lipped about the visit and did not explain details of what they were looking into or what they were looking for, said Dan Dwyer, UM's vice president for research. And Madeline Chulumovich, executive director of the NASA Office of Inspector General, would not comment about the matter when contacted by telephone Tuesday. The only illumination Dwyer could provide: "I know they were looking into the allegations that appeared in the Missoulian. They have people who monitor the news, and they sent people here.
Magazine Reports Keep Burns From Shaking Abramoff Scandal. In the last two weeks, back-to-back issues of Time and Newsweek homed in on the fallout from Burns' links to disgraced lobbyist Abramoff and his associates. Burns was Exhibit A in a Newsweek story on the "Abramoff Effect" seen as jeopardizing incumbents' re-election changes. Time included Burns in its list of Five Worst Senators, saying that his main problem "is not with making law but with staying on the right side of it." Abramoff, again — even though Burns insists he's not included in the Justice Department probe. "The negative drumbeat just continues and continues and continues," said Craig Wilson, pollster and political science professor at Montana State University-Billings.
Time Magazine Names Burns One of the Worst Senators. Time magazine has named Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., one of the five worst Senate members, criticizing him for his ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and calling his legislative record "meager."
Path of the Storm. But after DeLay, Burns may be the ripest target for Democrats, who dream of winning six seats and regaining the Senate. Burns took more money from Abramoff and his clients than any other member of Congress—nearly $150,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. A lawyer familiar with the investigation, who declined to be named discussing an ongoing case, confirms that Burns is under scrutiny for his connections to Abramoff—in particular, whether he and his staff promoted legislation to help Abramoff's clients in exchange for campaign contributions or gifts.
Tribe Returns $3 Million Grant Linked to Burns. A wealthy Indian tribe once represented by former lobbyist Jack Abramoff said yesterday that it has decided to return a $3 million federal school-construction grant it received as a result of pressure exerted on Interior Department officials by Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).
Burns Earmark Tied to Abramoff. In 2004, Burns slipped a last minute earmark into an appropriations bill, providing money for an Indian Tribe in Michigan. Some suspect that Burns secured this money for out-of-state interests under the influence of the near $150,000 in campaign contributions from Jack Abramoff.
DOJ Investigates Burns’ Financial Records. Between June and October of 2005, the Department of Justice examined Conrad Burns’ personal financial disclosures. They also investigated the finances of two people close to the Senator, his former chief of staff, Will Brooke, who quit Burns’ office to work for Jack Abramoff, and onetime statewide director, Shawn Vassell.The investigation appears to be connected to the probe into Abramoff’s connections and activities on Capitol Hill.
Pork Barrelling in the Senate. Two Washington D.C. government watchdog groups have provoked an investigation into an appropriation secured by Senator Conrad Burns for the University of Montana space center. The watchdog groups claim that Burns circumvented established budget procedures in the Senate in order to secure these funds for special and local interests.
Family Ties to Lobbyists. Senator Burns’ son, Garrett Burns, worked for a lobbying firm that represented companies with business that was addressed before Burns' congressional committees. The firm also happens to be run by a former counsel to Burn’s office.
Burns Celebrates Close to Lobbyists. Just days after the Abramoff scandal broke news, Conrad Burns planned to have his birthday party at the office of a prominent Washington D.C. lobbying firm, Cassidy & Associates.