Enron E-Mails Give Insiders' View [View All]

[UpInArms]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040718/ap_on_bi_ge/delay_enron_e_mails_1

WASHINGTON - In only a few e-mails, Enron employees laid bare the reality of politics: the money trail from companies seeking favors from lawmakers with the power to grant them.

The e-mails circulated among Enron officials in 2000 and 2001, before the collapse of the Houston energy company, are under review by the House ethics committee, which is considering whether to investigate the fund- raising activities of the No. 2 leader in the House, Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

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In an e-mail from May 31, 2001, Enron lobbyists Rick Shapiro and Linda Robertson discuss a $50,000 contribution solicited by Republican organizations for a dinner saluting President Bush (news - web sites) and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites).

"With the assistance of Congressman Tom DeLay we were able to apply our previously contributed soft money toward this dinner. Consequently, we will be credited as giving $250,000 to this event, even though we are being asked to give only $50,000 in new soft money," according to the e- mail sent to Enron's now ex-chairman, Kenneth Lay, and a second executive.

...lots more...