Word: rostenkowskis
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...excerpt from the statement of united states attorney Eric H. Holder, Jr. as he announced the indictment of democratic congressman Dan Rostenkowski of Chicago, as reported by the associated press on June...
...seemed to have made a difficult transition from cog in the legendary Chicago Democratic machine to politician of the '90s. Not the blow-dried telegenic kind; burly, raspy-voiced Dan Rostenkowski remained a backroom dealmaker to the bitter end. He won vast respect as the Congressman who could + massage the tough bills -- tax reform, maybe health care -- into literally passable form. But, says Chicago political columnist Steve Neal, "he was caught in a sort of time warp," and he is under investigation for allegedly taking perks that were common in the Chicago wards of the 1950s, and even in Congress...
Over the holiday weekend, Rostenkowski mulled a dismal choice. He could take a deal offered by U.S. Attorney Eric Holder: plead guilty to at least one felony count, and probably accept a short prison term. Or he could let himself be indicted on 10 to 15 counts, charging fraudulent use of his office expense accounts for personal gain, and face trial. He might then escape prison altogether -- or draw a sentence as long as three to four years for each count on which he might be convicted...
...becomes the acting chairman and would be expected to work with three committee members -- New York's Charles Rangel and California's Robert Matsui and Pete Stark -- to try to usher Rosty's vision through Ways and Means. Clinton no doubt hopes that between them, they are up to Rostenkowski...
Under criminal investigation for possible financial irregularities, Ways and Means chairman Dan Rostenkowski began exploring a plea-bargain agreement with federal prosecutors. The Illinois Democrat, who claims he is innocent, wants to avoid indictment on felony charges and the possibility of prison, if he is convicted. Rostenkowski is now said to believe his legal problems will force him to relinquish his powerful chairmanship, whether a deal can be reached or not. That is terrible news for Democrats. Without Rostenkowski at the helm, they fear, the President's health reforms could sink in Congress...