Feeney and the FBI Anniversary Week 7 Deadly Questions for "Representative #3"

QUESTION #7: Why did you send a letter to the Department of Energy on behalf of an Abramoff client?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - It's difficult to take someone at his or her word when their story conflicts with the evidence time and again.

Florida's most corrupt member of Congress, Tom Feeney (R-24th), wants us to believe he's obliviously innocent, that convicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff manipulated and coerced the Congressman into boarding a private jet bound for parts unknown (Scotland).

Once there, the "fact-finding" trip surprisingly turned into rounds of golf at world-famous St. Andrews. Feeney never wondered who organized the trip for him, Abramoff and six associates. Or who paid for it and why. He was unknowingly misled all along.

Right.

We're one day from the first anniversary of the public relationship between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the man it affectionately refers to as "Representative #3."

To celebrate the occasion, the Florida Democratic Party is asking Feeney "Seven Deadly Questions" that he has left unanswered.

Question #7: Why did you send a letter on behalf of one of Jack Abramoff's clients to the Energy Department?

In 2003, Feeney was among a small group of lawmakers who signed his name to a letter to the Department of Energy. The St. Petersburg Times revealed that Feeney's letter opposing changes to a federal program was sent "the same week that Atofina Chemicals sent a similar letter to the department criticizing the proposed change in the federal Energy Star program." [St. Petersburg Times, 4/29/07]

Atofina Chemicals had retained Abramoff and his firm for $660,000 over two years to lobby on issues, including the Energy Star program. Congress had little say over the proposed changes to the program, yet Feeney and nine other GOP lawmakers wrote to the Department of Energy and gave their unsolicited opinion.

In 2006, Feeney's former chief of staff, Jason Roe, unloaded on the Times, saying, "Tom has never written a letter for Abramoff. Abramoff has never been in our office. Abramoff has never asked anything of us. There is no accusation of quid pro quo. No quid pro quo exists." [St. Petersburg Times, 4/29/07]

Feeney backed up his faithful lieutenant, telling The Hill newspaper in 2007 that as far as his coziness with Abramoff: "There's no relationship." [The Hill, 4/24/07]

"Despite their private jet vacation, golf games in Scotland, campaign contributions, and fine dining at the convicted super-lobbyist's own restaurant, Tom Feeney still wants us to believe he isn't the least bit friendly with crooked Jack Abramoff," Florida Democratic Party spokesman Mark Bubriski said. "This anniversary is a sad one for the people of Florida, eager to move past the Abramoff-Feeney era. Luckily this November, they will have a chance to elect a representative who will work for the people, not the special interests, and rid Congress of one of its most corrupt members."

The Florida Democratic Party has released one deadly question a day for the past week. Tomorrow, the Party will "celebrate" the scandal, exactly one year after news broke that Tom Feeney was under investigation by the FBI.

Read more about the infamy of Tom Feeney at: http://www.feeneysfullofit.com.