Possible pay-to-play scheme for ambassador role in Trump administration uncovered by CBS News
Source: CBS News
A CBS News investigation has uncovered a possible pay-for-play scheme involving the Republican National Committee and President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to the Bahamas. Emails obtained by CBS News show the nominee, San Diego billionaire Doug Manchester, was asked by the RNC to donate half a million dollars as his confirmation in the Senate hung in the balance, chief investigative correspondent Jim Axelrod reports.
When Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas in September, Manchester wanted to help. So the San Diego real estate developer, who prefers the nickname "Papa Doug," loaded up his private jet with supplies and headed for the hard-hit Caribbean country where he owned a home and hoped to soon be serving as U.S. ambassador.
A Trump supporter, Manchester donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. He was offered the Bahamas post the day after Mr. Trump was sworn in. Manchester said Trump told him, "I should probably be the ambassador to the Bahamas and you should be president."
...
The Senate confirmation process is exactly what Manchester quickly addressed. He wrote back to [RNC Chairwoman] McDaniel's request for $500,000, "As you know I am not supposed to do any, but my wife is sending a contribution for $100,000. Assuming I get voted out of the [Foreign Relations Committee] on Wednesday to the floor we need you to have the majority leader bring it to a majority vote
Once confirmed, I our [sic] family will respond!"
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doug-manchester-possible-pay-to-play-scheme-for-ambassador-role-in-trump-administration-uncovered/
Farmer-Rick
(10,212 posts)Selling off federal positions for fun and profit.
empedocles
(15,751 posts)Cartaphelius
(868 posts)has been made illegal..... Alley Cats have more morals than
republicans.
Farmer-Rick
(10,212 posts)IronLionZion
(45,540 posts)James48
(4,441 posts)Selling an ambassadorship ranks right up there with graft, greed, corruption of the highest order.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,045 posts)stopdiggin
(11,372 posts)If this request for contribution was illegal (is it?) .. it would seem that would put the RNC squarely in the crosshairs. Correct? Wouldn't rules regarding this be fairly well established? And known?
mpcamb
(2,878 posts)in Brussels has been awarded $95,109 for a pergola, $13,301 for a pool-Jacuzzi heating system, $33,625 on wooden household furniture, $208,683 on a professional kitchen remodel, and two bathroom renovations, one costing $53,809 and the other $82,354. Additionally, the State Department spent $103,748 on a hotel, to ostensibly serve as an alternate residence to the embassy..."
I suspect this is just scratching the surface.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,045 posts)dweller
(23,665 posts)Last edited Mon Nov 18, 2019, 12:36 PM - Edit history (2)
new word for today
✌🏼
MFGsunny
(2,356 posts)DavidDvorkin
(19,489 posts)I'm sure there's plent of room for Trump there, too.
stopdiggin
(11,372 posts)to contributors as long standing tradition. Blagojevich case involved (allegedly) attempting to sell a Senate seat.
I might be splitting hairs .. but I think there might be a distinction. Apparently the courts felt so.
DavidDvorkin
(19,489 posts)FakeNoose
(32,777 posts)I'm sure there are plenty of examples of Dems doing the same thing. We need to clean up and clear out all of these abuses, including those in which Democrats are equally guilty.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,045 posts)Manchester certainly knew what was being dangled, evidenced by his email.
ffr
(22,672 posts)bitterross
(4,066 posts)Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm of the opinion that ambassadorships have long been purchased by friends of the incumbent.
Marcuse
(7,519 posts)IcyPeas
(21,910 posts)every time he says he made a deal with _________ this is probably what he means. pay to play.
some say he's the world's best deal maker. (sarc)
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,234 posts)Corruption seems to be a requirement for this misadministration.