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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jordan Libowitz,,jlibowitz@citizensforethics.org,.

CREW Receives Senate Ethics Cmte. Response to Sen. Landrieu Complaint - Nearly Two Years Later

WASHINGTON

Today, nearly two years after filing complaints with the Senate
ethics committee and the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Sen. Mary
Landrieu (D-LA), Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
(CREW) finally received a response from the Senate ethics committee
claiming "the matter to be resolved" and that "no further action" will
be taken.

On January 8, 2008, CREW asked for an investigation
into whether Sen. Landrieu violated federal bribery law by including a
$2 million earmark for Voyager Expanded Learning in a bill four days
after receiving $30,000 in campaign contributions from company
executives and their relatives. In addition to the Senate ethics
committee and the DOJ, CREW also asked the U.S. Attorney for the
Eastern District for Louisiana and the U.S. Attorney for the Northern
District of Texas to investigate the matter.

Sen. Landrieu issued a response to CREW's complaint the same day.

Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director, said today, "What a relief
to know the Senate ethics committee did not completely forget about
CREW's complaint - filed nearly two years ago - against Sen. Landrieu
for accepting campaign donations from someone for whom she earmarked
funds. No grass growing under the committee's feet. We are shocked,
shocked to see Sen. Landrieu absolved of wrongdoing."

Click here to read the Senate ethics committee's response.

Click here to learn more about CREW's January 8, 2008 complaint.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials -- regardless of party affiliation -- who sacrifice the common good to special interests. CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach.