 Second Straight Year Don Young makes CREW’s “Most Corrupt List”Rep. Young’s ethics violations stem from the misuse of his position to benefit family and friends and from steering millions of dollars in earmarks to corporations in exchange for contributions to his campaign committee and political action committee, Midnight Sun PAC (MSPAC). Rep. Young is currently under four separate federal investigations… Young Ranks 16th in most votes missed by a member of the 110th CongressThe Washington Post’s “US Congress Voters Database” places Don Young as the 16th most absent member of the House. Young has missed an astounding 17% of all votes. Additionally several of the Representatives which were higher on the list than Don Young missed votes were the results of serious illness or campaigning for a different office. Something which does not apply to Don Young. The Moore ReportBy Ivan Moore, Anchorage Press, September 24, 2008 Don’s rating sucked wind in poll 3, with his negative up to 58 percent. When it was fielded, he was in the midst of a close primary race—no one really knew whether he was a winner or loser, and he’d probably ticked off a bunch of Parnell Republicans to boot. Outside of that result though, the other polls have his rating very consistent, with a negative rating of 52-53 percent in each. Young and Stevens trail in Kos poll
Alaska Republicans need to kick things up a notch in order to win in November, according to the latest poll results released Thursday by Research 2000 for Daily Kos. The poll showed indicted GOP Sen. Ted Stevens trailing Democratic challenger Mark Begich 50-44 and embattled GOP Rep. Don Young lagging behind Democrat Ethan Berkowitz by 13 percentage points, 52-39.
Young’s troubles expose rift in Republican ranksBy DAN JOLING, Associated Press, 08/18/08 When Congress voted to investigate how a national highway spending bill on the watch of U.S. Rep. Don Young came to include a Florida project that lawmakers had not voted on, critics predicted trouble at the ballot box for the 35-year Alaska congressman. Young spends campaign money on lawyersBy ERIKA BOLSTAD & SEAN COCKERHAM, Anchorage Daily News, 07/16/08 WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Don Young spent about as much campaign money on lawyers helping him fend off a federal corruption probe as he raised for his re-election bid over the past three months, campaign finance filings show. If Young needs help, he turns to lobbyistsBy SEAN COCKERHAM & ERIKA BOLSTAD, Anchorage Daily News, 07/06/08 Facing bad publicity and a dwindling campaign account, U.S. Rep. Don Young last year turned to the “AK Wolfpack,” a group of more than 20 lobbyists, including former Young staffers and retired former congressmen, with close ties to the Alaska Republican. Rep. Young taps campaign to pay aide’s lawyersBy MATT APPUZZO, Associated Press, 07/03/08 With an election-year corruption investigation looming, Rep. Don Young has tapped his campaign war chest to pay not only his own million-dollar legal tab but also to hire lawyers for his campaign manager, who is also under FBI scrutiny. Young Cries Foul After Senate Calls for InvestigationBy Molly Hooper, Congressional Quarterly, 04/23/08 Rep. Don Young says the Senate overstepped its authority when it voted to seek a federal investigation of an altered earmark. “What the Senate did was unconstitutional,” the Alaska Republican said Wednesday. “No other body can request an investigation on another body.” Records expose Young-Abramoff tiesBy RICHARD MAUER, Anchorage Daily News, 04/20/08 Rep. Don Young has said he never allowed convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff to be an influential force over him in Congress. But now a trove of old billing records from two of Abramoff’s firms show that his team of lobbyists had more than 120 contacts with Young’s personal and committee staffs over 25 months, including at least 10 with Young himself. Young’s legal fees surpass $1 millionBy ERIKA BOLSTAD, Anchorage Daily News, 04/16/08 WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Don Young has spent more than $1.1 million on lawyers who have helped fend off Justice Department investigations, according to a campaign spending report filed Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission. Young owes public answers, Palin saysBy STEVE QUINN, Associated Press, 02/22/08 Young legal fees hit $854,000 in ‘07By ERIKA BOLSTAD, Anchorage Daily News, 01/31/08 WASHINGTON - Over the course of 2007, U.S. Rep. Don Young’s re-election campaign spent $854,035 on legal fees, according to a new report filed on Thursday. And Alaska’s lone congressman still isn’t saying what the lawyers are doing for the money. (Sen.) Coburn (R-OK) Pushes for Investigation of Young’s Secret Earmark EditBy Paul Kiel - tpmmuckraker.com - December 18, 2007, 2:23PM We may finally get some answers about how Rep. Don Young (R-AK) managed to change the text of a bill after it was passed by Congress in order to benefit a major campaign contributor. In a letter to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) called for the creation of a select committee comprised of both representatives and senators to investigate the miraculous change to the 2005 transportation bill. Young’s earmark helps three fishing companiesCAMPAIGN DONORS: Provision was tucked in bill without review. Anchorage Daily News, November 25, 2007 Some of the toughest money in America is made fishing for king and snow crab in the tempestuous Bering Sea. But some crab boat owners also do well on the opposite coast in Washington, D.C. Golf Tournaments Eyed in Corruption CaseAssoicated Press By MATT APUZZO - Nov. 14, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department is investigating whether an Alaska oil contractor used golf tournaments to funnel cash to Rep. Don Young, people close to the corruption investigation said. The contractor, Rick Smith, told investigators that Young personally received cash at the events. Once an important ally who helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for Young’s election committee, Smith has become a key government informant. Earmarks, favors: Young used position for funds and his donors’ projectsBY GREG GORDON AND ERIKA BOLSTAD - McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS WASHINGTON — As chairman of the House transportation committee, Alaska Congressman Don Young flew at least three times to upstate New York aboard a jet owned by Robert Congel, an ambitious shopping mall developer seeking federal highway money. How to Lose, Don Young’s WayNational Review, October 18, 2007 A lesson of 2006: Purge now or pay later. By David Freddoso Legal spending mounts, Young campaign reportsCAMPAIGN FINANCE: Congressman hasn’t revealed what sort of advice he’s buying. Anchorage Daily News, October 16, 2007 The Mystery of the Coconut InterchangeShouldn’t elected lawmakers feel thoroughly embarrassed at being upstaged by unelected aides slyly delivering favors at the behest of … who knows? New York Times, October 7 Senate panel asked to take new look at Young’s Florida earmarkFLORIDA: Highway money may be unconstitutional, critics say. Senate panel asked to take new look at Young’s Florida earmarkFLORIDA: Highway money may be unconstitutional, critics say. Veco contractor says he also worked on Stevens and Young fund-raisersThe Associated Press,September 19, 2007 Ex-Veco Prez Testifies To Paying For Young Pig RoastsTPMmuckraker - September 18, 2007 Last week, the trial of former Alaska state Rep. Pete Kott (R-AK) on corruption charges churned up an unwelcome amount of muck for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK). But yesterday it was Rep. Don Young’s… Highway Bill Took Young On Cross Country Fundraising TourTPMmuckraker - August 23, 2007 When developer Daniel Aronoff wanted an interchange built in Florida, Rep. Don Young (R-AK) came through — after Aronoff arranged a $40,000 fundraiser for him. But Florida wasn’t the only remote state where the Alaskan congressman proved popular in 2005. A massive transportation bill was making its way through Congress, and Young, as the chairman of the transportation committee, was in a powerful position. In addition to Aronoff’s $40,000 in Florida, Young raised tens of thousands of dollars in Wisconsin, Arkansas, and New Jersey during the spring and summer of 2005 from residents and special interests eager to curry favor with the man who would preside over a $280 billion authorization bill. Young’s $10M earmark focus of inquiryFrom Seattle Times - August 19 Young’s $10M earmark focus of inquiry WASHINGTON - Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, took campaign cash in return for securing $10 million for construction of a proposed Florida highway ramp that would benefit a local real-estate developer, a source familiar with the inquiry said Friday. Florida officials reject Young’s road earmarkAnchorage Daily News - August 18, 2007 Local officials in Florida decided Friday to send back the surprise $10 million Coconut Road earmark that Alaska U.S. Rep. Don Young slipped into the 2005 highway bill when he was chairman of the House Transportation Committee. County to Young: You Can Take Your Shady Earmark and Shove Itfrom TPMMuckraker.com - August 17, 2007 A county body in Florida voted today to send back Rep. Don Young’s (R-AK) $10 million earmark. Young rewrote the language in the bill while it was on its way to the President’s desk — after passing… Pig masks and a political shift in Alaskafrom The Hill, August 15, 2007 For the last 15 summers, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) has hosted his state’s political heavyweights at a down-home pig roast fundraiser. But this August, pigs of a different kind snorted back at him. Young accused of changing bill after voteAssociated Press - August 10, 2007 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Rep. Don Young or his staff may have changed the language in a $10 million earmark after it had already been approved for another project, a retired federal government budget expert said in report released this week. Young Twisted Rules to Secure Earmarkfrom TPMmuckraker - August 9, 2007 They say that earmarking is a rigged system, a system of organized bribery (the “favor factory” as Jack Abramoff called it). But rarely has there been such startling evidence of a quid pro quo as Rep. Don Young’s (R-AK) $10 million earmark for a highway interchange in Florida (the state farthest from Alaska). The earmark came only days after a real estate mogul raised $40,000 for Young at an event in Florida. Young offers no apologies but warns his election challengersfrom Associated Press - August 8, 2007 SPEAKING UP: Investigations aside, he cautions critics “in a glass house.” Investigations dogging U.S. Rep. Don Young have not damaged his effectiveness in Congress, the Alaska Republican said Tuesday, and he warned challengers of consequences if they sling rocks during the campaign next year when he runs for a 19th term. “Those that cast stones better damn well not live in a glass house,” he said. Young finally pays the bill for 7 years of crab at fundraisersfrom Anchorage Daily News - August 7, 2007 ‘CRAB FEED’: E-mail notes in-kind contributions; payback is $5,583. Rep. Young under criminal investigationfrom Associated Press - July 25, 2007 U.S. Rep. Don Young is under criminal investigation, the second member of Alaska’s congressional delegation to be part of a federal corruption probe, a newspaper reported. Don Young - There he goes againfrom the Anchorage Daily News - July 22, 2007 Don Young has done it again. He has let his passion for defending Alaska carry him beyond the bounds of decorum in the U.S. House of Representatives. Once again, his intemperate bluster has embarrassed Alaska. Poll respondents say Young’s comments were inappropriatefrom KTUU - July 22, 2007 On Thursday, July 19, Channel 2 News conducted an online poll asking residents if they thought Rep. Don Young’s suggestion that New Jersey voters replace their congressman was appropriate. The bitten says he will bite backfrom The Hill - July 19, 2007 The debate over appropriations spending is pitting Republican against Republican, as Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) yesterday declared, “Those who bite me will be bitten back” issuing an unsubtle threat to Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) for attempting to cut programs in Alaska. Young On Illegal Contributions: You Caught Me Too Late!Young shells out for lawyers: $262,137from the Anchorage Daily News - July 17,2007 U.S. Rep. Don Young spent more than $262,137 from his campaign account to pay legal bills this year, according to his most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission. Alaska Republican Congressman Don Young in serious legal troublefrom the AlaskaReport News - July 16, 2007 Alaska Republican Congressman Don Young spent $262,138 on lawyers last quarter anticipating multiple indictments from the FBI regarding his roles in at least three different criminal cases under investigation. Alaskan windfall confounds Floridafrom the Associated Press - July 15, 2007 An unexpected $10 million congressional earmark might seem like money from heaven for a fast-growing county needing billions for transportation improvements. Not when it comes to Coconut Road. Forecast for Young, Stevens clouds upfrom the Associated Press - July 9, 2007 They are, by their own admissions, feisty and cranky, with tempers that underpin their reputations as old-school — yet effective — members of Congress. They have more than 70 years of service on Capitol Hill between them and aren’t ready to call it quits. The Muckraker’s Reference Section: Don Youngfrom TPMMuckraker.com - July 5, 2007 Though Rep. Don Young (R-AK) has claimed that he’s had “no personal or professional relationship” with Jack Abramoff, there is a multitude of evidence reflecting a relationship between the two. Troha pleads guilty over donationsfrom the Associated Press - June 23, 2007 Millionaire businessman Dennis Troha always has been an equal-opportunity giver. Whether it be to Republican President George W. Bush or Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, Troha and his family have been frequent and generous donors. But a series of donations between $30,000 and $70,000 to Bush and the Democratic Party led Troha on Friday to agree to plead guilty to a pair of misdemeanors that could land him in prison for two years. Clouds — Not Storm Warnings — Enter Forecast for Alaska’s Stevens and Youngfrom the New York Times - June 21, 2007 Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and the state’s sole U.S. House member Don Young, both Republicans, have dominated their elections, and have done so over an extraordinary length of time. Stevens was first elected in 1970 after receiving a Senate appointment in 1968 ” a tenure that in April made him the chamber’s longest-serving Republican ever. Young was first sent to the House in a 1973 special election. Rep. Young is ‘proud’ of his earmarksfrom The Hill - June 13, 2007 Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) took to the floor late Tuesday night to defend his earmark for the infamous “bridge to nowhere” and another that secured $10 million for a road in Florida that benefited a campaign contributor. Young’s favors: Earmarks for out-of-state donors may be legal but …from the Anchorage Daily News - June 10, 2007 Years ago, Sen. Russell Long of Louisiana was asked to describe the difference between a campaign contribution and a bribe. “Almost a hairline,” he said. Alaska Almanac (fun facts about Don Young)from the Anchorage Daily News - June 9, 2007 $43,000 — Campaign contributions a Florida developer helped raise for Alaska Congressman Don Young Coconut Road deal more recycled news, Young saysAnchorage Daily News - June 8, 2007 Rep. Don Young, who has made a career out of bringing federal dollars to Alaska, shrugged off reports Thursday that he steered millions of dollars to help a prominent campaign contributor with a Florida road project. Campaign Funds for Alaskan; Road Aid to Floridafrom the New York Times - June 7, 2007 It is no secret that campaign contributions sometimes lead to lucrative official favors. Rarely, though, are the tradeoffs quite as obvious as in the twisted case of Coconut Road. Another day, another pile of news about the corruption investigationfrom the Anchorage Daily News - May 9, 2007 Nearly $300,000 went to the Alaska-based dog-treat company Arctic Paws, owned by Brett Gibson and his brother Duane Gibson, a former top aide to both Stevens and (U.S. Rep. Don) Young who left Young’s shop in 2002 to join now-incarcerated lobbyist Jack Abramoff at (lobbying firm) Greenberg Traurig. From Juneau to Congress, Veco has been an influential Alaska forcefrom the Anchorage Daily News - May 7, 2007 From the state Capitol in Juneau to the halls of Congress, Veco has been Alaska’s biggest corporate political operator since it emerged from bankruptcy 25 years ago with the help of North Slope oil producers. Don Young should gofrom the Juneau Empire - May 1, 2007 He’s been linked to the corrupt lobbyist George Abramoff, to the corrupt Wisconsin businessman Dennis Troha, and now to his corrupt aide, Mark Zachares, who pleaded guilty last week to criminal fraud and conspiracy. In a deal with federal prosecutors, Zachares agreed to cooperate with the federal government in the expanding probe of congressional corruption. Young aide’s link to Abramoff sheds new light on Marianas billfrom the Anchorage Daily News - April 29, 2007 The guilty plea last week by a former senior committee aide to Rep. Don Young sheds new light on the circumstances surrounding Young’s success seven years ago in blocking reforms of the sweatshop industry on the Mariana Islands. Silence Grows Louderfrom the Anchorage Daily News - April 28, 2007 The scandal at Rep. Don Young’s House Transportation Committee has crept closer to his feet, but he continues to stonewall questions about his role in it. Don Young’s Former Aide Pleads Guilty To Corruptionfrom the AlaskaReport News - April 27, 2007 A former aide to Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young, Mark Zachares, has pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. The Justice Department has filed a criminal information on Zachares, laying out the details to the crimes to which he admitted to. Code of Silencefrom the Anchorage Daily News - April 26, 2007 Alaska Congressman Don Young had a corrupt aide working on his House transportation committee. The aide, Mark Zachares, traded favors with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Tuesday, Zachares admitted his crime in federal court. Gift to GOP group smells like gratitudefrom the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - April 25, 2007 Jacobson is referring to Biskupic’s announcement last month that he is looking into a deal under which Troha is paid annual consulting fees from his former company, JHT Holdings Inc., through 2010 because Congress pushed through new truck-hauling rules that benefited the Kenosha firm. Ryan fought for the truck-hauling provision, which was inserted in a larger highways spending bill by U.S. Reps. Don Young, an Alaska Republican, and Jim Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat. Former Young aide pleads guiltyfrom the Anchorage Daily News - April 25, 2007 An aide to former House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young pleaded guilty Tuesday to helping convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff get business and inside government information in exchange for cash, gifts and job favors. Young seeks legal advice on tainted donationfrom the Anchorage Daily News - April 17, 2007 Rep. Don Young’s campaign has retained a Washington, D.C., law firm to represent him in connection with campaign contributions from a Wisconsin trucking executive who is now under indictment. Recipients of indicted businessman’s political donations included Alaska congressmanfrom the Anchorage Daily News - April 6, 2007 Rep. Don Young might return some $20,000 in campaign contributions linked to a Wisconsin businessman under federal investigation. Alaska Congressman Young probed by FBI in pay-off schemefrom the AlaskaReport News - April 1, 2007 This time he took over $20,000 in campaign contributions from indicted Wisconsin executive Dennis Troha, his family members, and company executives just after Young inserted an item in the 2005 federal highways bill that helped JHT holdings owned by Troha. Young linked to federal investigationfrom the Associated Press - March 20, 2007 Lawmakers who championed legislation easing truck-hauling regulations said this week that they had no idea that Kenosha, Wis., businessman Dennis Troha’s consulting company stood to gain financially from the legislation’s passage. Don Young joins Huckabee’s exploratory committeefrom the Fairbanks News-Miner - March 7, 2007 Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a potential Republican presidential candidate, has signed up Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, as congressional chairman of his exploratory committee. Young spent big cash cache: $1.6 million went for fundraisers, travel, advertising and salariesfrom the Anchorage Daily News - November 26, 2006 Ted Stevens and Don Young Fail to Provide ‘Honest Services’ - A comprehensive updatefrom the AlaskaReport News - September 23, 2006 It’s Time for Voters to Be Frank with Donfrom the Ester Republic - September 14, 2006 Don Young is up for re-election this fall, and I thought it appropriate to enumerate just why Representative Young doesn’t deserve his title. There’s at least one reason (and probably more) for every star in the 1958 US flag when Alaska’s star became the forty-ninth, but I don’t have room here to list them all. Young’s history speaks for itself, and it’s high time Alaskan voters paid attention to that history. Don Young involved in shady land deal, Alaska Congressman helps Florida developer after fund raiserfrom the AlaskaReport News - July 14, 2006 Don Young caught lying about debate over emissions billfrom the Alaska Report - May 20, 2006 Pork by Any Other Name… Remember the "Bridge to Nowhere"?from the The Washington Post - April 30, 2006 Blog hints at Abramoff, Young link: Denies lobbyist involved in Marshall Islands tripfrom the Anchorage Daily News - February 19, 2006 Three more lawmakers linked to Abramoff, GSAfrom the Associated Press - February 11, 2006 Young’s PAC Shades Links to Lobbyistsfrom the Anchorage Daily News - February 11, 2006 Don Young’s Way: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and other Alaskan money pitsfrom the Wall Street Journal - February 7, 2006 Young gave $5,000 in 2005 to help Rep. Duke Cunningham fight bribery chargesfrom the Anchorage Daily News - February 6, 2006 Bridge to Nowhere Benefits Young’s Son-in-Law: Art Nelson, four partners hold 60 acres of bluff land on Point MacKenzie sidefrom the Anchorage Daily News - December 18, 2005 Young scoffs at criticism of bridges. MILLIONS: Despite relief effort, money will remainfrom the Anchorage Daily News - September 19, 2005 Drunk With Power, Spending Out of Controlfrom Fox News - August 25, 2005 House OKs $37 million for Wal-Mart H.Q. roadfrom the Associated Press - March 25, 2005 |
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