Colorado's Corrupt Politicians

For those that like to think that Colorado politicians are squeaky clean,and don't deserve the reputation of ethically challenged national politicians of the likes of former Reps. Tom DeLay (R-TX) and Bob Ney (R-OH), enter Colorado Ethics Watch, which this morning released its first annual listing of what they call the "most corrupt" Colorado lawmakers.

The watchdog group painstakingly details the cases of the unethical and criminal activities of ten officials, four state elected officials and six local elected officials with an "honorable mention" for Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Schaffer.

While the stories of these officials are largely those that have been reported before, seeing them all described together is a bit dizzying. We have our infamous case of reporter-kicking (State Rep. Douglas Bruce), physical attacks on constituents (Darius Allen, an Alamosa County Commissioner), and domestic violence (Black Hawk City Councilman David Spellman, who reportedly hit his wife with a .380 caliber handgun.)

On the white collar side of things, we've got allegations of conflict of interest and improper use of political donations. Republican Secretary of State Mike Coffman is accused of using his public office to benefit his political campaign. Sen. Minority Leader Andy McElhany (R) allegedly used a political donation to pay for an official Senate website. Ryan Frazier (R), a member of the Aurora City Council, took campaign contributions from partners of a corporation while voting that same corporation a lucrative municipal contract.

Unfortunately for Coloradans, who might think 11 "corrupt" politicians are plenty for the state, Chantell Taylor, the director of Colorado Ethics Watch, believes that there are many more out there. The group operates on tips and follows up with research, and as a relatively new organization in Colorado, is still building its intelligence network.

Asked how Colorado's "corrupt" politicians stack up with the infamous crowd that lost their seats in the 2006 elections thanks to connections to Rep. DeLay and convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Taylor says, "All of this conduct is egregious in and of itself and the public should expect more from their public officials." Colorado Ethics Watch is a project of the Washington-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which documented these lawmakers' ethical mishaps.

Of course Colorado Ethics Watch concentrates on actions by officials that are unethical according to existing law. There's a vast universe out there of activity by politicians that's technically legal but ethically questionable.

Today's newspaper brings an opinion piece by my Public Campaign Actin Fund colleague, David Donnelly, who reminds Senate candidate Republican Bob Schaffer how other politicians linked to Abramoff had bad political luck. Schaffer (who gets an "honorable mention" in the Colorado Ethics Watch report for alleged conflict of interest while on the Colorado State Board of Education) was the subject of several stories this week about his trips to the Northern Mariana Islands, paid for by Jack Abramoff's lobbying firm. Donnelly says that in repentance, Schaffer should contribute to island charities and support campaign finance reform.

Meanwhile, Schaffer's opponent in the Senate Race, Democrat Mark Udall, today said he would donate $1,500 in campaign contributions he received from Abramoff's lobbying firm to a Saipan-based organization that helps victims of human trafficking.

As long as politicians remain human beings, there will be scandals. It's important work to document and track these incidents, because they represent a failure for the public trust. But it's also necessary to look at the underlying conditions in our political system that create a culture of corruption. As long as politicians must rely on private money to run their campaigns, they run the risk of being connected to something or someone scandalous.

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