News From…

Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

Rep. Cardoza Hails Passage of his Amendment to Strengthen Penalties for Ethics Violations by Public Officials
 

Amendment Passed with Unanimous Consent as part of Lobbying Reform Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2007		 CONTACT:  Jamie McInerney
(202) 225-6131

WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Dennis Cardoza introduced and passed an amendment that would double prison sentences, up to a two year increase, for elected and appointed public officials who violate the public trust. The amendment allows judges to increase the sentences when public officials are convicted of bribery, fraud, extortion, or theft in the course of their official duties.
 
“With public faith in government officials weakened by scandals from the Jack Abramhoff affair to the Duke Cunningham conviction, we need to ensure that those who break these laws are punished appropriately,” said Cardoza. “Beyond breaking the law, the perpetrators of these crimes violate the “public trust” by defying their fiduciary responsibility to the Constitution and to the people of America. I hope that this amendment will act as a deterrent to illegal behavior in the future and help rebuild public trust in government officials.”
 
The amendment passed unanimously as part of HR 2316, the Honest Leadership and Open Government of 2007, which contains landmark lobbying reforms that will cleanup the way business is done in Washington. Strengthening ethics rules and accountability of public officials is a longstanding interest of Congressman Cardoza. Cardoza introduced stand alone legislation similar to this amendment in the 109th and 110th sessions of Congress.

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