Former Istook Aide John Albaugh To Testify

Chris Casteel of The Oklahoman reports from Washington that the one-time top aide to a former Oklahoma congressman is expected to be a key witness in a federal trial scheduled to begin this week that will explore the ways lobbyists try to influence public officials and how that influence can pay off.

John Albaugh, who was formerly U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook’s chief of staff and has already pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy charge, is expected to testify he received numerous tickets and meals from lobbyist Kevin Ring while helping Ring’s clients get funding for road projects.

Read Casteel's story at www.newsok.com.

Share |

Istook: Census To Include Fictitious People?

Left-leaning groups want to include millions of pretend people in the real-life 2010 Census, former Congressman Ernest Istook writes today in a Human Events column. It almost happened in 2000, he writes. "This time, they might get their way. The administration claims it has 'no plans' to use statistical sampling to augment the actual headcount next year by adding millions of fictitious people. Not everyone believes this.

"Conservatives worry that, having learned from the failure of Bill Clinton’s high-profile push for census sampling, the administration has adopted a stealth approach."

Istook explains at http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31819.

Share |

SPR: Governor's Race Could Be Crowded

By Hastings Wyman/Southern Political Report ~ Last week second-term US Rep. Mary Fallin (R) announced her candidacy for governor of Oklahoma. Speaking to the Oklahoma County Republican Convention, the former lieutenant governor said she would seek the governorship, prompting cheers from the delegates. Fallin, 54, who has served in the legislature, as the state’s first woman -- and first Republican -- lieutenant governor, and in Congress, enters the race as a very strong contender for the GOP nomination and for the General Election.

In her remarks, Fallin said she wanted to use her experience to help Oklahoma during this recession “and lead us into a prosperous economy.”

Fallin “is in the catbird seat,” says long-time Sooner State political commentator Mike McCarville. “She’s never lost a race. She’s solid in the 5th District (Oklahoma City, etc.) She will be awfully tough.”

Another factor that will help her in the primary is that during her nearly 20 years in elective office, including 12 as lieutenant governor, “she did every rubber chicken dinner for everyone who asked,” says University of Oklahoma political science professor -- and pollster -- Keith Gaddie. “She has collected tons and tons of support for that.”

But even if Fallin is the early favorite, at least on the GOP side, she could well face a contested primary. US Rep. Tom Cole (R) has hinted that he might be interested in the governorship, and has yet to say yea or nay on the 2010 race.

Former Congressman J. C. Watts (R), once the only African-American Republican in Congress, has also expressed interest in running. Observers, however, doubt he would leave his lucrative lobbying work in Washington to re-enter Oklahoma politics.

There are several less well-known political figures who could run. One is state Sen. Randy Brogdon, who has strong ties to the more conservative wing of the Oklahoma GOP. Brogdon might have an opening against either Fallin or Cole over their support for President Bush’s stimulus package. Cole voted for it initially and on final passage. Fallin first voted against it, but supported it on the second vote. “None of this stuff is particularly popular in Oklahoma,” says Gaddie. Both, however, opposed President Obama’s stimulus legislation.

Another possible Republican contender is Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, a powerful influence on state government. “He’s running the policy agenda right now,” notes Gaddie. And businessman (oil) Bob Sullivan, who got 31% against Ernest Istook, in the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary, has also been mentioned.

On the Democratic side, interest in the governorship is almost as strong. With incumbent Gov. Brad Henry (D) term-limited, last year, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins announced she would run for governor in 2010.

“She’s pretty dog-gone strong,” says McCarville, noting that she is wealthy and “has shown no hesitation to spend it in the past.” He adds, “We could end up with female nominees in both parties. That would be a first.”

Another Democrat, state Attorney General Drew Edmondson, is also a possible gubernatorial candidate. He would be formidable, but his interest in the race has been known for some time and didn’t prevent Askins from entering the race.

Projecting a General Election winner at this early stage is risky at best. One private poll, however, shows either Fallin or Watts, both Republicans, leading Democrats Askins and Edmondson by more than the margin of error. Neither GOPer, however, exceeded 50 percent.

Share |

Istook: Death Of Conservatism? Not!

From Tulsa Today, By Ernest Istook ~ The biggest problem facing America's conservatives isn't our "progressive" president-elect or the liberal leaders controlling Congress.

It's defeatism.

Liberal pundits such as The Washington Post's E.J. Dionne were quick to interpret the recent elections as "a definitive end to a conservative era."

A Google search for "death of conservatism" this week produced 57,900 hits. It's the new common wisdom.

But should America's millions of conservatives be despairing? Of course not.

That's what the Left wants the most. "It is best to win without fighting," wrote Sun Tzu in "The Art of War."

"The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord."

Read the entire column at www.tulsatoday.com.

Share |

Istook, Loveless Pay FEC Fines

By Chris Casteel/Washington Bureau, The Oklahoman ~ Former U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook paid nearly $14,000 to the Federal Election Commission to settle fines stemming from an audit of his 2004 re-election campaign that found numerous violations.

Istook, the former Republican congressman from Warr Acres, paid $12,000 to the FEC out of remaining campaign funds and $1,800 in personal money, according to Istook and a report filed Tuesday with the commission.

Istook said his former campaign manager, Kyle Loveless, had paid another $800.

Istook, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2006 and now works at a conservative Washington think tank, said in an e-mail exchange, "I accept responsibility for the bookkeeping and reporting errors made by campaign staff. I devoted huge amounts of time going through voluminous records personally to make sure that every mistake was corrected.”

The fines came on top of $7,000 in reimbursements that Istook and Loveless had to make to the campaign for expenses that were deemed to be personal. In some cases, Istook said he mistakenly used a campaign credit card for personal items.

The matter has not officially been closed by the FEC.

Because of partisan squabbling over appointees, the commission only last week had enough members to meet.

Istook said the fines were part of an agreement reached by the campaign and FEC staff members.

The FEC report shows that $2,000 is owed to the Washington law firm hired by Istook's campaign to handle the matter.

Share |

Istook Emphasizes He's Not A Probe Target

By Chris Casteel/The Oklahoman, Blogging From Washington ~ Former Oklahoma Congressman Ernest Istook reiterated that he was told by the FBI that he’s not a target in the public corruption investigation that snared his top aide.

In an e-mail exchange, Istook, a Republican who represented the Oklahoma City area for 14 years in the U.S. House, declined to answer whether he had received a subpoena to testify before a grand jury — or whether he had testified before a grand jury.

He did say, again, that he had spoken to the FBI and that he was “shocked and surprised” about (John) Albaugh, who worked for him nearly as long as Istook was in Congress. And he said he was “cooperating with them fully.”

Albaugh pleaded guilty Monday to a single conspiracy charge. He admitted that he helped get road project money for a lobbyist’s clients while the lobbyist was treating him to meals at fancy restaurants and to tickets to sporting events and concerts.

In the year that the acts took place, Albaugh was making nearly $145,000 a year.

According to the Justice Department information about the conspiracy, Albaugh took about $4,000 worth of meals and tickets. But not all of the tickets went to Albaugh alone. Istook benefited from the use of luxury suites at a downtown Washington arena — for an American idols concert — and at the Maryland stadium where the Washington Redskins play. The suites were used for campaign fundraisers for Istook.

The suites were controlled by former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is now serving time in prison for conspiracies in Florida and Washington DC. Istook’s campaign didn’t reimburse Abramoff’s company for the suites until the Abramoff scandal exploded in 2006.

Albaugh’s case is part of the public corruption probe that began with Abramoff and has now snared 13 lobbyists and former public officials.

Share |

John Albaugh Pleads Guilty

John Albaugh, 41, who was former Congressman Ernest Istook's chief of staff and a top aide on the House Appropriations subcommittee that had control over road projects, said in federal court in Washington he is guilty of conspiracy because he helped secure millions for road projects sought by clients of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's firm.

Albaugh, who now lives and works in South Carolina, is cooperating in the ongoing investigation into the Abramoff scandal and is expected to provide testimony against others.

He faces 18 and 24 months in prison but could get that reduced if he helps the government with its case. Sentencing is set for September 17th.

Share |

John Albaugh Faces Conspiracy Charge

WASHINGTON (From News Services) ~ John Albaugh, former chief of staff to former Congressman Ernest Istook, is being charged with conspiracy to defraud the House of Representatives in a lobbying scandal.

Albaugh is accused of accepting gifts in return for official favors. The charge is outlined in a criminal information filed in federal court late Friday. Such documents are normally entered as part of a plea deal. A court hearing is scheduled today, when details may be made public.

The charges come as part of the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Albaugh is accused of accepting meals, sports and concert tickets, and other perks from lobbyists in exchange for official favors in the court document.

Such documents are normally entered as part of a plea deal.

Albaugh served eight years as top aide for Istook, who left Congress to run for governor in 2006. Istook lost and is now a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington.

Istook, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, accepted tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Abramoff and his associates. Referred to as "Representative 4" in court documents, he also used the lobbyist's skybox tickets for concerts. He later donated the campaign money to charity and paid for the seats.

Share |

Istook: Blame Congress For Gas Prices

Former Congressman Ernest Istook, in a World Net Daily column out today, blames Congress for the price of a gallon of gasoline. He also offers other thoughts.

Read Istook's column at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=62393.

Share |

Istook 'Of Counsel' To Foshee Law Firm

Former Congressman Ernest Istook, it was announced today, has joined the Foshee & Yaffe Law Firm in Oklahoma City in an "of counsel" capacity.

“Congressman Istook is a welcomed addition to our firm,” said Jerry Foshee. “Congressman Istook has been a friend for a long time and is an outstanding attorney.”

Blake Yaffe is enthusiastic about Ernest Istook being a part of their growing law firm. “Congressman Istook’s experience and knowledge are exceptional assets to our firm.”

Istook practiced law in Oklahoma for 15 years, handling a wide diversity of legal matters of all type. As required by general congressional ethics rules, he placed his law practice on hold during his years in Congress.

Istook was the Republican Party’s nominee for Governor of Oklahoma in 2006. He also served in the Oklahoma Legislature, on the Warr Acres City Council, headed a state agency, and served on the staff of former Oklahoma Governor David Boren.

As well as resuming the practice of law, Istook has resumed his former career as a radio broadcaster and has become a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation in Washington.

Share |

Istook: When Lesbians Team Up With NRA

Former Congressman Ernest Istook of Oklahoma City is out with a WorldNetDaily column noting some strange bedfellows in the current Supreme Court battle over the 2nd Amendment.

"Those upset by the District of Columbia's gun ban were not all redneck pickup-truck owners with gun racks," Istook writes. "Instead, the Supreme Court challenge to D.C.'s law involved maybe the strangest coalition ever seen in Washington."

Read all of Istook's column at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=59353&PHPSESSID=d8egsms1p669k1gn6dfkkkefc1.

Share |

Istook Hosts New Radio Show

Former Congressman Ernest Istook, now a fellow with the Heritage Foundation in Washington, is the host of a new weekly Heritage Foundation radio program on XM Radio's new POTUS08 channel. Istook advises the show airs at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Share |

Congress: Cross-Dressing Rights?

You read the headline right. Former Congressman Ernest Istook has the details; read them at http://www.okpns.com/.

Share |

Romney Plans Oklahoma City Event August 14th

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will make a campaign stop in Oklahoma City on August 14th, former Congressman Ernest Istook said today.

Istook said Romney will appear at an "Ask Mitt Anything" gathering at noon in the Boren Student Center at the OU Health Sciences Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Share |

Blogger Updates: What's With Calvey, Istook?

Lots of questions about two relatively new blogs, those featuring U. S. Army Captain Kevin Calvey, former state representative stationed in Iraq, and former Congressman Ernest Istook. Posts on the two blogs have been few and far between; Calvey hasn't posted since early July and Istook since mid-July.

Calvey apparently has issues with The Oklahoman over its changes to his blog, including the format and links. He tells us he'll get back to blogging when he takes a leave before long.

Istook's site was down for a while, he said, for changes to be made. Since then, a few changes have been made but posts have been irregular.

Share |

Istook: 'Wholesale Abandonment' Of Bush Ahead?

Former Republican Congressman Ernest Istook, now a fellow at The Heritage Foundation who has a new blog, comments today on the furor surrounding President Bush and the immigration bill, plus other issues. Istook writes, "This may be the start of a dam bursting, with a wholesale abandonment of the Bush White House by many of its supporters and apologists." Meanwhile, Tulsa Congressman John Sullivan teed off on Bush, saying his immigration plan is wrong and Sullivan opposes it "100 percent." Read Sullivan's comments in today's Tulsa World.

Share |

FEC Cites Istook 2004 Campaign

Former Republican Congressman Ernest Istook improperly spent nearly $7,000 in campaign funds on personal items, including a trip to the 2004 Sugar Bowl, according to a Federal Election Commission audit of Istook's 2004 reelection campaign.

The FEC audit, which was provided by Istook to The Oklahoman, uncovered numerous other financial violations, the newspaper reported. In 2003 and 2004, Istook's campaign took donations from corporations, which are prohibited; took excessive contributions from donors; failed to provide required information for some donors; failed to disclose more than $26,000 in last-minute contributions; and misstated its receipts and expenditures, the audit says. Among the nearly $7,000 worth of items improperly purchased with campaign funds were CDs, jewelry, airfare, groceries and gas.

Share |

Istook Launches Personal Blog

Former Congressman Ernest Istook has launched a personal blog. Istook, the Republican nominee for governor last year, includes comments on politics, government and events. Initial posts deal with presidential fundraising and the Virginia murder rampage. In a jocular note, Istook presents this photo and says he is "off the congressional merry-go-round." Articles by Istook are appearing in several national public affairs journals and think tank publications. He's now a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

Share |

Istook Working With Heritage Foundation

Former 5th District Congressman Ernest Istook is now working with the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

TMRO inquired of the Heritage Foundation's spokesman, Matt Streit, about Istook's status and he replied, "Mr. Istook is currently a Visiting Fellow at Heritage and is working with us for several months on congressional appropriations and spending projects."

Share |

Istook Faces Campaign Debt

From Congressman Ernest Istook's website: "We're working to resolve the debts left from the campaign, and your generous financial aid is needed. To send a check, click on this link to print the form you should send with your check to: Friends of Ernest Istook, 6113 Inland Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73132."

The amount of Istook's debt is not publicly known; his final Ethics Commission report has not yet been filed.

Share |