Liberal Values Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Justice Department is now looking at payments to Tom DeLay’s wife:

The Justice Department’s congressional lobbying-and-bribery investigation is looking into whether former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s wife received money from a lobbying firm for a no-show job, recent FBI interviews indicate.

The two-year investigation is examining whether lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others sought legislative favors for their clients by offering expensive meals, sports tickets, golf outings and other gifts to about a dozen lawmakers and congressional aides.

In the last few weeks, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have interviewed several people at the Alexander Strategy Group lobbying firm to determine if Christine DeLay was being paid $3,200 a month — a total of $115,000 over three years — but not earning it. In a series of interviews last month, investigators questioned people who used to work at Alexander Strategy as well as people who worked in the same building as the now-defunct firm. “They wanted to know how often she came to the office? What did she do there? How long was she there?” said one person who was interviewed by the FBI.

Alexander Strategy was run by a pair of Mr. DeLay’s former aides: Tony Rudy, who pleaded guilty to bribery charges in March; and Edwin Buckham, who remains under investigation. The firm also shared clients with Jack Abramoff.

Shakespeare’s Sister jokes, ” Come on—who wouldn’t allegedly take “$3,200 a month—a total of $115,000 over three years” for “a no-show job” at a lobbying firm if their crooked spouse could set it up? That’s the American way, right?  The FBI just doesn’t get it. This is about family values. Tom DeLay loves his family, and he just wanted them to share in his good fortune, that’s all.” Talk Left notes that there was previous information suggesting this family tie.