Tuesday, December 18, 2018

ETHICS: Representatives Tom Garrett & Rod Blum Are Under Foreign Funded Propaganda Investigation

Oyez!

Hot off the House Ethics Committee presses......

We have two brand new Ethics investigations referred to the DOJ for full investigation.

The U. S. Franking Commission of the House Administration oversees the use of the congressional frank for any postal mailings.

The Congressional Frank

Pursuant to Public Law 93-191, the bipartisan Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards or the "Franking Commission" has a three fold mandate: (1) to issue regulations governing the proper use of the franking privilege; (2) to provide guidance in connection with mailings; (3) to act as a quasi-judicial body for the disposition of formal complaints against Members of Congress who have allegedly violated franking laws or regulations.

As a result of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for FY 1991, Members are required to submit all mass mailings (unsolicited mailings of 500 or more pieces of the same matter) for an advisory opinion prior to mailing.

The issuance of an advisory opinion is a process; involving telephone and personal consultations with the Member's staff prior to the dispersing of a written advisory. When proposed mailings are submitted to the Commission in draft form, often changes are needed in order to comply with franking standards. Staff routinely points out any problems and suggests the revisions that are necessary for the issuance of a favorable opinion. All material submitted to the Commission is reviewed by both the majority and minority staff before an advisory is issued.

The Congressional Franking Committee has absolutely nothing, whatsoever, to address the electronic usage.

Absolutely nothing about the internet.

Talk about Horse and Buggy House Rules!

I guess they are trying to be conservative, and stuff.

Franking Manual for the 115th Congress by Beverly Tran on Scribd

Since 1974 Members of Congress can include in the franking information on mission children.

Missing Children Under section 3220, a franked mailing may contain biographies and photographs of missing children. This material may appear on the envelope or any page of a newsletter, questionnaire, meeting notice, or similar mailing. However, caution should be exercised that this material does not impede the mailing panel of a self-mailer. Should Members or staff have any questions regarding placement of the information, they should contact the Commission staff. Note to Section 3220 of title 39 provides that any guidelines, rules, or regulations prescribed pursuant thereto shall cease to be effective December 31, 2002.27 For information on obtaining appropriate biographies and photographs of missing children, Members may contact the Program Director, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1835 K Street, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20006, (202) 634-7161.

The rule for the use of the Congressional Franking to assist in finding missing children came out of Watergate and so did the Ethics Committee.

Not one Member of Congress has utilized this privilege.

I tried and was shot down, but then again, anything dealing with children is protected under privacy laws, even pro-life propaganda and its funding.

Absolutely brilliant.

But, have no fear for the U.S. Postal Inspector Services and the U.S. Treasury FinCEN has extraordinary powers to address the use of the Congressional Franking.

Oh, and before I forget, many others are also watching.

DOJ & DHS On Election Security Executive Order: "We Are Following The Money"

OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Thomas Garrett

NATURE OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATION: In 2018, Representative Garrett hired an employee from his official congressional staff to work for his congressional campaign committee. The employee may have performed personal errands while being paid by Representative Garrett’s congressional campaign committee. If Representative Garrett converted funds from his congressional campaign committee for personal use, then he may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law.

Tom Garrett and Jason Kessler

Garrett targeted in two ethics probes

D.C. PAC, Americans for Self-Rule,Targets Virginia's Rep. Thomas Garrett

House Ethics Panel Extends Inquiry Into Rep. Tom Garrett

Virginia Republican allegedly had congressional aides run personal errands

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OCE Referral Regarding Rep. Rod Blum

NATURE OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATION: Rep. Rod Blum may have omitted required information from his financial disclosure reports related to reportable assets and positions. If Rep. Blum did not include required information in his financial disclosure reports, then he may have violated federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct. Rep. Blum may have permitted the use of official House resources to support or promote Tin Moon Corporation (“Tin Moon”), a private business in which Rep. Blum holds a financial interest. If Rep. Blum misused official House resources to support a business endeavor, then he may have violated federal law, House rules, and standards of conduct. Rep. Blum may have permitted Tin Moon to use or employ an unfair or deceptive trade practice in connection with Tin Moon’s solicitation of business clients. If Rep. Blum permitted Tin Moon to engage in deceptive trade practices, then Rep. Blum may have violated federal law, state law, House rules, and standards of conduct.

http://tinmoonlabs.com/

Ethics Office Report Released on Lame Duck Rod Blum

Business No.	Legal Name	Status
522185	TIN MOON CORPORATION	Active
Type	State of Inc.	Modified
Legal	IA	No
Expiration Date	Effective Date	Filing Date
PERPETUAL	5/3/2016	5/3/2016
Chapter
CODE 490 DOMESTIC PROFIT