Breaking Law?, Will Dems Get A Pass?

From the New York Post.

Looks like the same old same old and most voters yawn, and ignore it.

"SHADY ISLAND 'HOUSE' PARTY POLS' TRIP TO CARIBBEAN SKIRTED RULES" SHADY ISLAND 'HOUSE' PARTY - New York Post

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS in St. Maarten and ISABEL VINCENT in New York

Last updated: 4:01 am
November 30, 2008
Posted: 2:24 am
November 30, 2008

High-ranking members of Congress were flown to a lush Caribbean resort this month for a three-day conference planned and paid for by several of the country's most powerful corporations - a violation of federal ethics rules, critics say.

Six members of the Congressional Black Caucus attended the 13th annual Caribbean Multi-National Business Conference in sun-drenched St. Maarten, including embattled Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel and New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne.

Three New York City officials attended, including Comptroller William Thompson and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr., as well as Gov. Paterson, who was the keynote speaker at a luncheon on the second day of the gathering.

The politicians were seen by The Post during the Nov. 6-9 conference, walking among the palm trees on the breezy grounds of the sprawling, terra cotta Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino.

Paterson's office said he'd paid for his own travel and lodging during his visit. But other legislators enjoyed free airfare, meals and hotel rooms covered by the trip's organizer - and paid for by donations from corporations such as IBM, AT&T, Verizon, Citigroup, Pfizer, Macy's and American Airlines, a Post investigation discovered.

Officials with those companies were observed at the conference - sometimes acting as featured speakers at daily seminars and freely mingling among the pols at social events. Citigroup - which just last week received a massive bailout from the federal government - was one of the conference's biggest sponsors, ponying up $100,000 to help finance the event, according to one of the lobbyists at the gathering.

A spokesman for Citigroup told The Post the company has financially supported the conference for several years, but would not reveal an amount.

Phone giant Verizon gave $35,000, according to spokesman Brian Malina. The yearly event - always held in a Caribbean country - is a big draw for black politicians, as well as for community activists, lobbyists and special-interest groups looking to promote their agendas.

According to conference organizers, the main goal is "promoting business relationships between some of America's largest firms and the Caribbean's most successful enterprises."

To read on go to New York Post link above.