Republicans accuse Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico of a "pay-to-play scheme" involving his consulting work, raising questions about ethics in the tight Texas race.
Republicans accuse Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico of a “pay-to-play scheme” involving his consulting work, raising questions about ethics in the tight Texas race . PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: Democrat Texas Senate nominee James Talarico is facing Republican accusations of a pay-to-play arrangement over consulting work he performed for an education firm while serving on the Texas House Public Education Committee. Talarico worked for MAYA Consulting, now known as VIDA Collaborative, from 2019 through 2025 while simultaneously serving on the committee, which has oversight responsibilities involving the Texas Education Agency (TEA). DETAIL: TEA records show MAYA received two contracts worth approximately $3.58 million and…Open
Former Baldwin Park Councilman Ricardo Pacheco was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for taking bribes and hiding nearly $63,000 in cash in his backyard, exposing the depth of local government corruption that left taxpayers footing the bill. Federal prosecutors revealed that Pacheco, who served on the Baldwin Park City Council for over twenty […] The post Corruption exposed: Ex-California councilman sentenced after FBI uncovers cash buried in backyard appeared first on American Almanac .
Former Baldwin Park Councilman Ricardo Pacheco was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for taking bribes and hiding nearly $63,000 in cash in his backyard, exposing the depth of local government corruption that left taxpayers footing the bill. Federal prosecutors revealed that Pacheco, who served on the Baldwin Park City Council for over twenty years, admitted to soliciting and receiving bribes in exchange for advancing lucrative city contracts and marijuana permits. The FBI’s investigation found Pacheco went so far as to bury tens of thousands of dollars in cash behind his home, a vivid symbol of how far some local officials will go to evade accountability and enrich themselves at public expense. Pacheco’s sentencing comes…Open
Federal prosecutors now allege that the son of a waste company owner secretly recorded dozens of videos of California politicians in compromising situations, a trove they say was stockpiled for potential blackmail as part of the corruption case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. The new allegations landed in a prosecutorial filing made public Friday, […] The post Feds say trash company boss filmed Bay Area politicians in alleged blackmail scheme appeared first on American Almanac .
Federal prosecutors now allege that the son of a waste company owner secretly recorded dozens of videos of California politicians in compromising situations, a trove they say was stockpiled for potential blackmail as part of the corruption case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. The new allegations landed in a prosecutorial filing made public Friday, when the government responded to a defense motion seeking to exclude evidence at trial. Among the details: Andy Duong, son of California Waste Solutions head David Duong, had his phone seized by authorities in June 2024. On it, prosecutors said they found dozens of videos "showing various public officials dancing at clubs, drinking alcohol, or engaging in party-like behavior." The…Open
What is pay-to-play politics and how much does it cost to be heard in Washington? In this episode of The Brief: Insights From The Inside, Shabbos Kestenbaum sits down with Stephen Keller, former financial CEO, author of Pay to Play: Political Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Cost of the American Dream, and co-founder of the Justice Restoration Foundation. Keller tells the story of how he went from building a multibillion-dollar life settlements business to becoming the target of a federal prosecution he says was driven by powerful insurance interests, political access, and a broken pay-to-play system. He explains why he believes corporate lobbying, PAC money, and political influence have distorted how laws are written — and why…
A nonprofit allegedly using donor funds to target adversaries may violate tax laws under the IRS codes. The Committee’s request for information specifically focuses on activities undertaken by the Fund to advance private financial interests that appear only loosely related to the Fund’s official stated purpose.
"Lindsey Granger gives her lens on President Trump's history of pardons and clemency, as well as congressional democrats' concerns that they may be part of a pay-for-play scheme. #Trump #pardons #tech
Lindsey Granger gives her lens on President Trump's history of pardons and clemency, as well as congressional democrats' concerns that they may be part of a pay-for-play scheme.#Trump #pardons #tech
