John Westlake

BELLEW FOR CONGRESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.BellewforCongress.com
WHERE HAS ALL THE MONEY GONE?
CONTACT:
Mike Lencsak
info@bellewforcongress.com
Phone: 732-670-9839

Union Beach: In a press release dated December 7, 2005, Congressman Pallone issued a statement, announcing his introduction of legislation that would, in his words, call for “instituting tougher penalties for government officials convicted on federal corruption charges.� This was as a result of a federal investigation into lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and the resignation of a Republican congressman who confessed to taking $2.4 million in bribes from Abramoff.

“As always, Frank Pallone’s words don’t match his actions. Just a year earlier, Pallone took money from the same lobbyist,� said Leigh-Ann Bellew, his opponent in the upcoming election.

On January 12, 2006, the Capitol Eye newsletter reported that in 2004 Pallone received $2,000 from the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and $4,000 from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, both of whom were listed as clients of Abramoff. In fact, according to Newsbusters review of the FEC reports, Pallone received a total of $13,600 from Jack Abramoff.

Locally, Pallone received a $2,000 contribution from John Westlake, a Red Bank businessman who pleaded guilty to tax evasion this year and is awaiting sentencing. Westlake owned Alma Corporation and partnered with former State Senator John Lynch in a company called Executive Continental. Federal prosecutors claim both were dummy companies through which Westlake and Lynch funneled money and defrauded the IRS.

“Where does Frank Pallone stand on taking money from corrupt individuals? His actions speak much louder than his rhetoric, especially in light of the fact that he has NOT returned the money.� added Bellew.

House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, called Jack Abramoff’s “trading money for official acts, a despicable action that strikes at the heart of our democracy.� If Pallone’s own leadership says that then Frank needs to account for his money. Where’s the money, Frank?