Sunday, May 21, 2006

Former Santorum Aides Charged in FEC Ethics Complaint

Two former aides to Rick Santorum have been charged with multiple violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act in connection with their PAC and contributions, including to Santorum's campaign. In a five-count complaint filed by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ("CREW"), Santorum's aides are alleged to have violated disclosure requirements, campaign contribution limits, PAC contribution limits, and solicitation regulations.

In February, 2001, John Dick and Joseph Kuklis, formed the lobbying company, GSP Consulting Corp. (GSP), to assist technology companies, non profit organizations and commercial real estate developers identify, chase and secure sources of government funding. Dick has deep ties to Santorum. Immediately before forming GSP, Dick was a Deputy Campaign manager for Santorum's 2000 re-election campaign. Kuklis was Deputy State Director for the same Santorum campaign.

GSP operates out of the same office building as Santorum's Pittsburgh operations and has managed to secure for its clients some $35 million in appropriations, according to an April 2006 report by the Philadelphia Inquirier.

CREW is a progressive not-for-profit with a history of filing ethics complaints against some of the more excessive or outrageous practices of (mostly-Republican) members of Congress. It was formed in 2001 by Melanie Sloan, a former aide to Democratic Representative John Conyers and Democratic Senator Charles Schumer.

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