conflicts of interest news stories on Newser

Obama Team Lays Out 'Strictest' Ethics Rules

Rob Quinn — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:13:49 CST

Barack Obama's transition team has set out what one official called "the strictest, most far-reaching ethics rules of any transition in history,” the Hill reports. Lobbyists, corporations and PACs will be barred from donating funds to the transition operation, and lobbyists on the team won’t be allowed to work on...

Cutting Lobby Ties Is 'Messy Business'

Jonas Oransky — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:44:09 CDT

John McCain is at war with his own staff to save his image as a crusader against special interests, the New York Times reports. Five aides have been sent packing, and new rules promulgated to rout out any further conflicts. But with many staffers who made their living as lobbyists,...

Justices' Stock Portfolios Cripple Cases

Harry Kimball — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:35:25 CST

The stock portfolios of Supreme Court justices have become a flash point this term, in which six cases could be affected by justices recusing themselves because they own financial stakes in companies involved. Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, and Justice Stephen Bryer have bowed out of cases involving...

NASA Delays Mars Probe to 2013

Kevin Langbaum — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:40:31 CST

A conflict of interest has forced NASA to delay a scheduled Mars probe by two years and spend an extra $40 million, the Associated Press reports. The panel choosing between two firms for the mission had to be replaced, and because Mars is only within reach every 26 months, the...

Bill’s Scads of Donations May Backfire on Hill

Jonas Oransky — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:26:59 CDT

Former President Clinton rakes in cash for his foundation, while a future President Clinton would have to deal with the appearance of influence-buying. Bill’s foundation isn’t required to divulge donors, and there's no apparent limit on a first spouse’s fundraising, but Salon reports many Clinton Foundation givers among Hillary’s elite—...