U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris gifts tied to controversial fundraiser

[paineinthearse]

Harris gifts tied to controversial fundraiser
She got 10 $2,000 checks from donors connected to a man known as "the Brooklyn Bundler."

By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published January 27, 2005

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U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, Florida's most famous member of Congress and a potential candidate for Senate, received early Christmas presents late last year from some controversial benefactors.
While raising money in New York on Dec. 12, she received 10 $2,000 checks from people related to or connected to a New York rabbi and campaign fundraiser dubbed "the Brooklyn Bundler" who was indicted on charges of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal money intended for disabled children.

The donors came mostly from Brooklyn, N.Y., but also from executives of an Iowa slaughterhouse that was at the time facing allegations of inhumane treatment of animals. PoliticalMoneyLine, a nonpartisan campaign finance information service, on Wednesday noted the bundled contributions to Harris and how they follow the fundraising practice used for years by Rabbi Milton Balkany. His ability to deliver campaign checks to politicians years ago earned him the nickname the Brooklyn Bundler.

Balkany also has emerged as a controversial political player. Last year federal prosecutors opted to defer prosecution of Balkany for allegedly misappropriating $700,000 in federal grant money, after he agreed to pay back the money and accepted travel restrictions. The politically connected rabbi and private school leader also was implicated, but not charged, in a case involving bribery of federal prison officials to improve the living conditions of certain prisoners, according to the New York Daily News.

<snip>

Balkany did not contribute to Harris' campaign, but his son Menachim and other relatives provided checks on Dec. 12. They include executives related by marriage to Balkany who lead the country's biggest kosher slaughterhouse, Agriprocessors in Iowa. That company had been under criticism since an animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, last month released a secretly recorded videotape that showed a steer staggering with its throat slit and its trachea and esophagus dangling out. Soon after that tape's release, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told its inspectors they could shut down a slaughterhouse if they witness a scene like that.

more....http://www.sptimes.com/2005/01/27/news_pf/State/Harris_gifts_tied_to_.shtml

[cthrumatrix]

1. the "teflon awol answer" of "I had no knowledge" = zero accountability

which means .... she is perfect for rethug use ...she is a soldier for the elites plan

[jdj]

2. you know I'm starting to get suspicious.

Alla sudden these folks are getting the hell outed out of them.

Hmmm. Wonder if the Soros thing has something to do with this.

[drm604]

9. There does seem to be a lot of dirt coming out suddenly.

Soros may be part of it, but I've been wondering about all of the ex-CIA people who have lost their jobs for political reasons. They can't be very happy, and some of them may either already know some info or know how to go about getting it. They are not people you would want as enemies.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Say it isn't so!

Someone like Katherine Harris caught up in criminal activity?

Who'd a thunk it?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

5. She seemed so nice when she helped Bush steal his first election

...I guess even the pure of heart can make the occasional mistake.

:evilgrin:

[nodictators]

7. That's because she was a former high school beauty queen

Read all about it in Toobin's "Too Close to Call"

[swimmernsecretsea]

10. So why do I want to feature her on Extreme Makeover?

And give her a make-under?
I mean, come on, take all that crap off your face. Her pores must be permanently sealed shut. Come to think of it, this relates to the Bay Buchanan thread. What is it about the older conservative women contigent that makes me want to take a handful of moist towelettes and scrub their faces down to the epidermis?

[davidinalameda]

4. is she giving the money back

or keeping it

[President Jesus]

6. Balkany's complete list of campaign contributions

http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?last=Balkany&first=Milton

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. kick