Barbara Boxer Subsidizing Relatives with Campaign Contributions


Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has diverted nearly half a million in contributions from her political action committee to her son’s political consulting firm from 2001 to 2009, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings.

Boxer and Associates, owned by son Douglas Boxer, has in the last 8 years profited to the tune of $497,409.17, $36,000 of which was from last year alone as the politically-vulnerable Boxer readies for a contentious reelection campaign in the fall. These $36,000 in fees are supplementary to the $141,000 Boxer’s leadership PAC awarded her son in 2008 for fundraising consulting.

The subject of a 2007 Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) exposé on the practice of politicians using campaign funds to employ relatives, Boxer insists on keeping it in the family–with expenditures to her son’s firm the highest among all others for the 2010 cycle–despite concerns from constituents and watchdog groups.

Renewing interest in Senator Boxer’s family emoluments, the young Boxer Tuesday sent an email requesting supporters donate to his mother’s campaign “because she always wanted to make things better for our family.”

Carly Fiorina campaign spokeswoman Julie Soderlund sounded the alarm and questioned if the young Boxer was once again profiting from his mother’s sizable campaign war chest.

“Doug Boxer wasn’t kidding when he signed off this letter to donors by saying ‘our entire family is so grateful for your strong support’ – he’s grateful more than anyone since he’s been lining his pockets with hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to his mother’s long career in politics,” Soderlund said in a statement.

“Ethical questions have been repeatedly raised regarding this financial arrangement, but that hasn’t stopped either of the Boxers from continuing with this questionable behavior and putting their own interests first.”

To the near-exclusion of regular citizens, Boxer’s “PAC for a Change” is largely supported by labor unions, malpractice law firms, and the entertainment industry — on whose behalf Douglas Boxer will no doubt lobby his mother in return for their generous support over the last 8 years.

Ethics legislation to amend federal election law barring political committees and leadership pacs from employing the candidate’s spouse and further requiring them to report all expenditures made to immediate family members passed the House of Representatives in 2008.

It met opposition in the Senate, however, and was never released from committee, providing the necessary cover for the Senator and son Boxer to further skirt reasonable campaign ethics reporting.

With polls proving her vulnerable to Republican challenges, Senator Boxer will fundraise–with son Douglas in tow, no doubt–with the fierce urgency of now, likely vaulting her well-heeled progeny well over the half-million threshold. And despite criticism from CREW and the like, Boxer has little interest in changing course 16 years in.

Cross-posted to Skepticians.com.

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18 Comments Leave a comment

I bet THOSE checks didn't bounce! -nt

bk (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:15PM EST (link)

People with No principles and No character

olsmithie (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:30PM EST (link)

are not at all concerned about the issues you point out.

Most of the public misses the old saw that
“Character is not the main issue, it is the only issue.”

For a person of character, the other issues fall into line.

The Boxers of the world have no honor, no standards except that of “What can I do for ME today?”
Sad, sick little puppies, the whole bunch.

Regards

 

Ummm...

anotherindyfilmguy (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:31PM EST (link)

“Ethical questions have been repeatedly raised regarding this financial arrangement, but that hasn’t stopped either of the Boxers from continuing with this questionable behavior and putting their own interests first.”

I love it that some people assume that thieves will stop stealing because someone says “tut-tut”… perhaps an Attorney General of some sort could call together a grand jury and indite them? Of course if that’s not going to happen because of politics then it is up to the good people of her district to deal with her… if they will or can. Not holding breath though…

Santorum? Well, at least he’s not Romney…
http://www.zazzle.com/enemy_of_the_statist_tshirt-235977043035297478

Tut-tut

Vannek Thursday, December 31st at 4:05PM EST (link)

Don’t hold your breath waiting for Jerry Brown to do anything.

Well...

anotherindyfilmguy (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 7:51PM EST (link)

he’ll probably get right on it when he finishes his Acorn “investigation”…

Santorum? Well, at least he’s not Romney…
http://www.zazzle.com/enemy_of_the_statist_tshirt-235977043035297478

 
 
 

Great...keep it up!

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:32PM EST (link)

This is really a great development and the sort of thing that will get people’s attention in California. Making Babs Boxer and her ethically challenged family the issue in CA and doing it over and over might just win the seat for a R out here.

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

 

Continuing the age-old American tradition.

NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:38PM EST (link)

You know, bringing your kids into the family business.

Boxer & Sons, PAC
Legislating Death in California and Beyond.

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill

 

Recall Boxer

renny (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:43PM EST (link)

The NJ tea parties have submitted a petition to recall Menendez for malfeasance for among other actions 1) voting against funding for a NJ program to move those monies to the UN, voting against NJ veterans support funding, and 3) voting against an audit of Sen. voting records on all allocation bills (so there would be no one official record). Incoming Governor Christie has criticized Menendez for his ignoring NJ needs where for every $7 in taxes sent to DC only $1 is ever returned here. Consider Puerto Rico—not a state—the statistic is reversed there.
Use the article of impeachment against Nixon of “lying to the American people” against Boxer and her brood.

Re-read the Constitution, you can't recall members of Congress. nt

Aaron Gardner (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:50PM EST (link)

conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!

“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat


Yeah, the only "recall" is every 2 and 6 years! nt

yoyo (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 10:17PM EST (link)

Nemo me impune lacesset
“No one will provoke me with impunity!”
=============================
Pukin’ Dogs – The Fighting 143
Sans Reproache
=============================
The ‘yoyo’ replaced my cigarettes January 22, 2006….

 
 
 

these people

fotophun Thursday, December 31st at 1:43PM EST (link)

never seem to amaze me
the gall….
If it had been on the other side of the aisle, it would be front page news and a swift boot out the door

There are worse offenders

SteveLA (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 2:08PM EST (link)

Do any research on Maxine Waters family and the RICO like operations they are up to. Funny thing, no media in LA or CA will go near that story.

______________________________________

Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests

 
 

In other words Boxer is systemic and contagious. NT

bobojake (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 1:57PM EST (link)

Boxer and son involved in pitching new Oakland A's stadium deal

katesmith (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 2:32PM EST (link)

From articles, son Doug Boxer sits on Oakland Planning Commission and has political aspirations himself. Has real estate interests in Jack London Square. He and his mother have inserted themselves into the Oakland A’s stadium business. Stadiums of course are paid for by taxpayers who receive none of the profits when owners sell. Doug Boxer says the A’s should not move to San Jose (as they’ve been planning) that his plan will keep them in Oakland and will do so ‘quickly.’ His mother says the SF Giants will not give up their territorial rights (to San Jose) and “the political powers are not going to let that happen either.’ Not, apparently with hundreds of millions in stadium grift lining up for Boxer’s son. The left creates nothing. They only take.

Wouldn't hold my breath on this one

Vannek Thursday, December 31st at 4:12PM EST (link)

Given the unemployment and foreclosure rates in Alameda County, I don’t see a new stadium being built anytime soon… unless it’s with private money. The 49ers are infinitely more popular than the A’s (have better attendance figures) and THEY’re having trouble closing the deal on a new stadium.

 
 

The Great Nepotismo

lukematthews (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 3:00PM EST (link)

I think the Boxers, Kennedy’s, Bidens, Daley’s, and other great dynastic houses should be swiftly booted from power. Perhaps when we are rid of their corruption, we can breath some clean, pure, unpolluted air.

 

The RINO's do it too

dwintnf (Diary) Thursday, December 31st at 3:19PM EST (link)

I still remember my rep. John Doolittle doing the same thing with his wife. I have more respect for Tom McClintock in this position for now.

I also just can’t forget about McCain-Feingold and the slap in the face this is to the 1st amendment .

 

Isn't Boxer's son married into Hillary Clinton's

larryp Thursday, December 31st at 11:28PM EST (link)

family?