PRESS RELEASE: Max Burns Backer Pleads Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges

Max Burns Backer Pleads Guilty to Federal Corruption Charges
Scandal ridden Ohio Congressman Bob Ney contributed $7,000 to Max Burns’ campaign coffers; Barrow campaign calls on Burns to “come clean” and “return every dime of dirty money” he’s taken from disgraced ex-Congressmen Ney, Cunningham, and DeLay

Savannah, GA – Earlier this year, Washington Lobbyist Max Burns scoffed at the notion of returning $32,500 in campaign contributions he’d received from disgraced Members of Congress who’d either been convicted, indicted, or were currently under federal investigation for corruption and bribery: Congressmen Bob Ney, Randy Cunningham, and Tom DeLay.

At that time, only one of the three Congressmen/Burns backers was behind bars: California Congressman Randy Cunningham. But today, a second Burns backer, Ohio Congressman Bob Ney, pled guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and making false statements.

Public records show that Max Burns has accepted $32,500 in campaign and PAC contributions from Ney, Cunningham, and DeLay, dating back to his first run for Congress in 2002: $20,000 from DeLay, $7,000 from Ney, and $5,500 from Cunningham.

When asked in April if the campaign planned to return these donations, Burns Campaign Manager Tim Baker told the Savannah Morning News (April 24, 2006) that they couldn’t return the money “because it’s already been spent.” Those comments were made just a few days after the Burns campaign reported having $681,957 in the bank.

Even still, the Burns campaign went on to defend the disgraced Congressmen/Burns backers, saying that “people in the district understand that you’re presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Barrow spokesman Harper Lawson said. “And now that two of his three crooked donors have pled guilty, Mr. Burns should have no qualms about returning every dime of their dirty money. In fact, he can save himself a future headache and return DeLay’s money today as well. It’s a chance for Max to come clean, and clear his plate of all the dirty money he’s taken.”

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http://www.barrowforcongress.com/

Monday Night's Debate in Milledgeville

Elections are about choices. And Monday night's debate in Milledgeville offered voters a chance to meet two very different candidates – candidates who offer two very different approaches to leadership.

I think the Associated Press summed it up best:

"In the first debate of their congressional rematch, U.S. Rep. John Barrow on Monday called himself an independent unafraid to buck the Democratic Party, while Republican opponent Max Burns insisted Barrow's party affiliation matters more than his policy stands."

My opponent seems obsessed with inside baseball in Washington and political party figureheads. Since he can't run on the issues, he's determined to run a "guilt by association" campaign focused on people who were not up on the stage with him; people who will not be on your ballot this fall; politicians who do not determine how I vote on the issues and challenges facing our country.

If you were there for the debate, you would have heard a lot of partisan rhetoric and false negative attacks from Mr. Burns. And I believe that's a dose of what's wrong with Washington right now: Too much blind politics – not enough progress.

In Congress, I've never cared much for the political name calling and infighting. Instead, I spend my time working to try and bring about responsible and common sense solutions to sky high healthcare costs, to fix what's broke with the Medicare prescription drug plan, to solve our nation's energy crisis with a balanced approach to energy development, to bring about fair trade that's a fair deal for American workers, and to fight for real border security – without giving amnesty to illegal immigrants.

I vote with my party when they're right and I vote against them when they're wrong. That's why I'm rated as one of the most independent members of Congress. Because I work for you – not for high-paid lobbyists or the special interests.

The party bosses don’t need another rubber stamp to vote their way in Washington. The people of the 12th District deserve a Congressman who stands up for them. Someone who listens, someone who's independent, and someone who's effective.

– John