“Coconut Don” Gets Outed in Leaked Memo and We are Totally Not Surprised.
30 10 2009
Looks like Levi isn’t the only one “leaking on” Alaska’s notorious politicos. A memo that wasn’t supposed to be public was accidentally put on line in full public view by a low level staffer, and Bingo! Suddenly we know all sorts of stuff about all sorts of members of congress who are being investigated by the usually super-secret Congressional Ethics Committee.
And I’ll give you one guess who’s on the list. In a way, this is completely unremarkable, and by now, after looking at the fabulous graphic at the top of the page, you’ve probably guessed the answer. That’s right, Don Young, Congressman at Large for all Alaska. Also known in some legal circles by the vague and non-specific code name “Alaska U.S. Representative A.”
It’s not for the Veco corruption scandal, though. It’s for one of his various other shady doings that’s been out of the news for a while. If you’ve ever got a free hour, and you want to delve into the shady world of one of the most fascinating of all the corrupt bastards, do check out the website DropDon.com and enjoy the clever and interactive web of skullduggery.
The House ethics committee sought information from Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) regarding a $10 million earmark in his district that connects Coconut Road near Fort Myers to Interstate 75.
A document obtained by The Washington Post shows that the committee requested information from Mack and expected a response by Aug. 28.
The congressman said in a statement released Thursday by his office that the inquiry does not focus on him and that he had no involvement with the project.
“We’ve been told that we may be a witness to an investigation of others, but we are, of course, not the subject of any investigation,” the statement said.
The infamous “Coconut Road” scandal involves real estate developer Daniel Aranoff.
He helped raise $40,000 for Young just days before Young introduced a $10 million earmark for Coconut Road in the 2006 Transportation bill. Aranoff owns 4,000 acres along Coconut Road, a stretch of pavement near Ft. Myers, Florida that touches five golf clubs on its way to the Gulf of Mexico.
When he was asked to comment by a New York Times reporter, Young responded with an obscene gesture.
That’s our boy – Congressman for all Alaska, and on some days, parts of Florida.
[h/t to flyinureye for the Friday Fun!]
October 30th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Maybe once he’s out of the seat Alaska can start fresh, put up some “descent” candidates and have three good members in Congress.
Boring but a lot easier to live with.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:25 PM
who said Friday was a slow news day? Apparently they have never looked at Alaska…
October 30th, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Oy, just oy, does this have to be “my” only “representation” in the US House?
October 30th, 2009 at 3:38 PM
oops, that should have said “…, why does…”
October 30th, 2009 at 3:56 PM
I would have thought he might have had one of those tasty Island coconut drinks in his hand as well. Jimmy Buffet ” MargaritaVille ” style. The ones that usually have a little umbrella in it.
I suppose if he had though… that would be one less free hand for him to grab some Ca$h.
Good job Mr. Fly.
October 30th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Things could possibly go so much easier for them if they would just stop lying, cheating and stealing. Your freedom is a terrible thing to waste…
I like the heading and graphics, fly!!
(can’t wait to see what you are going to do for Sarah)
October 30th, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Well, well, well… Don Young certainly does have some big… um… ‘coconuts’ to think he ould get away with this scam.
(Sorry all, flyinureye’s graphic led me astray….
)
October 30th, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Hmm..appears his..have melded into one corrupt mass of coconut..just imagine having to possibly do-time..sitting on cement n steel furninshings..ouchie!
October 30th, 2009 at 4:51 PM
What is it with all these road scandals? Hah! There is the infamous “Road to Nowhere” and now an Alaskan Representative INTRODUCED a $10M earmark for a road that is not even in Alaska for a nice $40K scratch on his back? Wow. I guess he was just spreadin’ the earmark wealth.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:35 PM
High five mr Fly well done
October 30th, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Wow….
Anyway I just stopped to say hi to AKM and mudpuppies. I have been busy on the campaign trail in NJ. AKM I can not thank you more than enough. You taught me our to stand up for bullies. I am following your braveness, though it is so scary. But I promise, I am doing it. I have all the pics. Chris Christie was in my county today.
There is so much going on. The governor Race is tied , Democrats candidates in my county (Warren) have taken off the gloves. A lot of support from both parties.
I have so much to share. I cant post it now on my blog, because I am being followed by Trolls. We found the big writing on one of the window ” WHite Negro” close to the Dem head quarters office. The cops were there in a minute and cleaned it up. They are on our side.
Check some of it here:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1256875589251940.xml&coll=3
and here
http://www.bluejersey.com
I have so much to share, starting from pictures and all the garbage you can think of.
Great news is our two Democrats Freeholder Candidates for Warren County got a big endorsement by a republican newspaper outlet.
Oh my, you have no idea…. Warren County Residents, just like Alaskans, are outraged after learning what has been going on with the one party rule ( GOP) in this county. Because I am working very closely with the candidates, I have avoided to publish anything on my blog, I do not want them to start covering up their dirt. But check my blog on Mon 2 just before the election, I will post some cool aids
Brian says, Hi
October 30th, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Wow SKY, if it is possible to sound out of breath in the written word….you just accomplished it! Sounds like you had an eventful evening. Hope you will share it with all of us. I love boots on the ground!
October 30th, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Two down, one to go.
What’s amazing is the hypocracy from not only the disgraced politicians of this state but from the people that support them. We have received so much pork, some good, some not so good, but to hear them tell it, we deserve it and the rest of the country doesn’t.
Had this been a member of congress from any other state they would be ready to burn them at the stake.
TERM LIMITS would certainly have saved YOUNG from these temptations and Alaska would look so much better nationally. (Except for whatshername)
October 30th, 2009 at 7:07 PM
I have been patiently waiting for Don Young, Congressman for All Alaskans who voted for him, to someday get formally charged for some of the wrongdoing that we have heard about for years. I am beginning to think that that day is not going to come. More and more time keeps going by, and … nothing…
I am wondering if his bombastic and arrogant style will just continue to be the lone face representing Alaska?
October 30th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
are there any clean politicians in AK?
October 30th, 2009 at 8:25 PM
why are so few guilty political figures in prison? …is there not enough room?
October 30th, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Zyggy, are there in clean politicians in politics anywhere? They all seem to be beholden to someone and I always find that to be the inherent flaw in the system.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Zyggy and AKPetMom….I’m convinced there are no clean politicians. It’s all about their coffers and that leads to who will buy them off. It is so disheartening. I have never been so bummed as I am these days with our Congress and their shennaygans. We sorely need term limits and we need them now.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Next…someone needs to come clean about Scarah.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:31 AM
I visit a relative who winters in a golf community just off Coconut Road, so I am very familiar with those cushy environs. How generous of an AK congressman to sponsor a road at least 4,500 miles as the crow flies from AK!
The FL real estate bust would have made that project a true “Road to Nowhere”. I have golfed at new “golf course communities” near there, where there are 300 golf course lots, and three houses built and abandoned.
AK good luck in ridding yourself of yet another Corrupt Bastard(ess?)
October 31st, 2009 at 11:51 AM
I am a former 43-year Alaskan, who has lived in Florida for 10 years.
I attended the infamous townhall meeting when Rep. Young came to visit a few years ago to discuss the bottleneck of bad planning in this area for a disaster of a road system.
I cannot stand Don Young and every year gave the max to his D opponent when I lived in Alaska, but the lie about Coconut Road has to be exposed.
The Coconut Road West Side only exchange has been on the planning books for over 30 years with the local MPO. The ROW for this WEST SIDE ONLY exchange was purchased when the Interstate was built in 1977, and it is easily seen from the air, the famous sideways martini glass.
New purchasing homeowners on Coconut Road have to sign a special disclosure at closing that this new WEST SIDE ONLY exchange would be built and affect their street.
The alleged briber’s property is on the EAST SIDE OF THE EXCHANGE. The project never has, nor will include ROW access to the alleged briber’s property.
The homeowner’s of Coconut Road hired a professional lobbyist who has managed to snow the entire country. It comes down to these selfish homeowners just didn’t want this WEST SIDE ONLY exchange built, which is necessary to this community for hurricane evacuation for the WEST SIDE GULF OF MEXICO residents, not just the residents of Coconut Road.
This whole thing is the stupiest lie ever perpetuated. Rep. Young was late to the townhall meeting because he got stuck in a traffic jam on I-75 and you could see the lights turn on (if that is possible) during the town hall meeting that this community needed more road monies and he promised as Chair of the Committee he would make it happen. Albeit it looks illegal, but again, the alleged briber will not benefit by the WEST SIDE ONLY exchange plan, as his land is to the EAST of I-75.
The fundraising party after the townhall meeting was widely publicized and I know many people who legally contributed at this legal fundraising event.
Enough. It’s pathetic that this lie has been going on for years now.