FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rob Friedlander
(603) 731-9602
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Kuster Campaign Releases New Ad on Congressman Bass’s History of Corruption
CONCORD, N.H. – Annie Kuster for Congress today released the sixth ad of the general election campaign. The new ad, “Most Corrupt,” outlines career politician Charlie Bass’s history of ethical questions and corruption, including being named one of the “most corrupt” members of Congress by the independent watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
“During his nearly 20 years in Washington, Congressman Bass earned the dubious distinction of being named one of the ‘most corrupt’ members of Congress,” said Garrick Delzell, campaign manager for Annie Kuster. “He used his Congressional office to promote a family member’s company that he made millions from as a private stockholder. If Congressman Bass sees nothing wrong with that picture, then he’s been in Washington far too long.”
The full script of the ad is below and the ad can be viewed HERE.
KUSTER: I’m Annie Kuster, and I approve this message.
NARRATOR: Congressman Bass gets caught.
Seeking special tax breaks to help his nephew’s company.
Pushing for millions of our tax dollars.
Then Bass gets a sweetheart deal for privately held stock, which then doubled in value.
It’s why Bass was named one of the “most corrupt” in Congress by the independent watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Congressman Bass: out for himself. Not us.
SCRIPT: Congressman Bass gets caught.
BACKGROUND:
“GOP Ex-Rep Dogged by Ethics Questions in Campaign for Old N.H. Seat” [Fox News, 10/14/10]
SCRIPT: Seeking special tax breaks to help his nephew’s company.
BACKGROUND:
In 2005, Congressman Bass introduced the “Renewable Energy Security Act,” legislation that was “ideally suited” to help promote pellet fuel systems, although it also applies to other renewable energy systems, and is authorized at a funding level of up to $150 million in FY2007, increasing to $250 million per year in FY2012. [Bass Press Release, 4/14/05; Pellet Fuels Institute Newsletter, 3/06]
“PFI board member Steve Walker had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. The meeting, arranged by Congressman Charlie Bass…” [Pellet Fuels Institute Newsletter, 3/06]
“A March newsletter from Pellet Fuels Industry noted that Bass set up a meeting between New England Wood Pellet president Steve Walker, who is married to Bass’s niece, and then-Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman…” [Real Clear Politics, 10/14/10; NH-2: Bass Blasted Over Private Stock Purchase]
SCRIPT: Pushing for millions of our tax dollars.
BACKGROUND:
During a 2006 hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Bass noted that the Department of Energy did not request funding for his rebate program. He then asked Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman to look at it. During the committee hearing, Bodman said that he had looked at funding the rebate program, and that he had a team working on it. “I have looked at it,” Bodman said. “You and I talked about it when I visited, and I have a team working on it.” [U.S. House Energy Committee Testimony, 3/9/06]
SCRIPT: Then Bass gets a sweetheart deal for privately held stock, which then doubled in value.
BACKGROUND:
Congressman Bass purchased an ownership stake in New England Wood Pellet valued at over $500,000, in a private special deal that was not available to the public. By March 2009, the stock’s value had increased to at least $1 million and up to $5 million. [The Telegraph, 10/15/10]
SCRIPT: It’s why Bass was named one of the “most corrupt” in Congress by the independent watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
BACKGROUND:
“CREW chose Bass for a controversy about his involvement with a wood pellet-making company run by his niece’s husband.” [The Telegraph, 9/21/11]
“By failing to properly disclose his assets, by failing to disclose his family’s interest – and perhaps his own – in NEWP while using his position to benefit the company, and by repeatedly using his position for at least his family’s, if not his own, financial benefit, Rep. Bass engaged in conduct that does not reflect creditably on the House.” [Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, 2011; Most Corrupt; Representative Charles Bass]
###