ANDREWS CHALLENGES LAUTENBERG TO COME CLEAN ON OIL INTERESTS
Releasing Tax Returns Only Way to Show How Much Senator is Benefiting from Oil Industry that is Gouging Customers

CHERRY HILL -- Citing Sen. Frank Lautenberg's apparent holdings of up to $1.1 million in oil and natural gas interests, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rob Andrews said today it was more important than ever that Lautenberg release his tax returns so voters can see the extent of his personal financial stake in those industries.

"At a time when people in New Jersey and across the nation are being walloped by the soaring prices at the gasoline pump, it appears that Sen. Lautenberg is reaping some of the big oil companies' profits," Andrews said. "There's a question here of to what extent the senator is profiting off of the windfall profits of the oil companies that are gouging the American people. He should do the right thing and make his tax returns public so the voters can see how much his financial interests in oil are."

According to Lautenberg's 2006 Senate disclosure form:

• Lautenberg's spouse owns as much as $1 million in stock in Copano Energy, a natural gas and energy company.
• Lautenberg personally owns as much as $2000 in BTA Oil Producers.
• Lautenberg's spouse owns as much as $50,000 in Anadarko Petroleum Corporation.
• Lautenberg's spouse owns as much as $50,000 in Marathon Oil Company.
• Lautenberg's spouse owns as much as $15,000 in Pacific Energy Partners

Andrews said that Lautenberg was "trying to have it both ways" by criticizing the staggering price increases that oil companies are imposing on consumers while at the same time personally reaping some of the profits. "Whose side is he on, the people who can barely afford a tank of gas or the oil companies enjoying unconscionable profits," Andrews said. "The voters deserve an answer."

Lautenberg's refusal to release his tax returns is a blatant contradiction of his position in the 2002 Senate campaign, when Lautenberg accused his Republican opponent of trying to hide his tax returns because of his financial interests in the pharmaceutical industry. At that time, Lautenberg said, "Let him (Doug Forrester) lay down his tax reports, show good faith to the people and say, 'This is what I made.' (He says) he's not profiteering. Let him prove it. That's all we want."

Asserting that what was good for Lautenberg then is likewise good for him now, Andrews said, "Let Frank Lautenberg lay down his tax reports, show good faith to the people and say, 'This is what I made.' He says he's not profiteering from oil companies. Let him prove it. That's all we want."

"The real way to have transparency is for the senator to release the full record of his tax returns and let the people judge for themselves," Andrews said. "Actions speak louder than words. I've released mine. Sen. Lautenberg should do the same."