Santa Ana, CA - Carlos Bustamante Facing Charges

According to reports, Carlos Bustamante, 47, a current Santa Ana Councilman and former Orange County Public Works administration manager, is facing a dozen felony charges ranging from false imprisonment to sex offenses during his work at the county over eight years until he resigned his post in 2011.

The "seriously?" factor:  He allegedly called female employees to his office under the pretense of discussing work and hugged, kissed and grabbed them, and sometimes masturbated in front of them
 
Huffington Post article re Arrest of Bustamante

General Services Administration knows how to Party!

This one really blew my mind.

The General Services Administration managed to spend more than $600,000 over budget for its 2010 conference in Las Vegas. The four-day Las Vegas conference came with an $823,000 bill. Expenses included:

-$75,000 bike-building activity
-$6,325 for commemorative coins
-$8,130 for souvenir books
-$7,000 for sushi rolls
-a clown, a comedian and a mind reader
 
Bike building?  commemorative coins? A MIND READER?? I hope that in 2011 they retained the services of a psychic so that they would anticipate that people would think they were completely insane to be spending this type of money - especially when the economy is in the shitter.

UCCS Scribe article about GSA's 2010 Conference

CNN article discussing congressional hearing

Unethical Behavior at US Treasury

As the result of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, it has been revealed that Treasury Department officials have been cited for a variety of wrong-doings:  soliciting prostitutes, breaking conflict-of-interest rules and accepting gifts from corporate executives.

The Hill's story about Scandal at US Treasury

Cuyahoga County Commissioner (Cleveland, Ohio) - Senteced to 28 years in Prison

The hullabaloo surrounding the indictment, arrest and trial of Jimmy Dimora, a former Cuyahoga County Commissioner (Cleveland, Ohio), has been ongoing for several years.  He has been convicted of a variety of crimes including racketeering, bribery and corruption based offenses. Someone should be writing a screen play of this matter. It includes contracts awarded as the result of bribes, strippers, dinners, judge/case tampering, limos, Vegas, hookers and more! 

Cleveland Plain Dealer article discussing Dimora's Sentencing

He held other public offices during his 30 year public career, most notably chairman of the Democratic Party of Cuyahoga County.

Summary of Indictment of Dimora

He is denying any wrong doing and most recently is requesting his friends donate money for his appeal.

Quite impressive!

Cost to County:  an estimated $3.5 million

Brooklyn, Ohio Mayor - Sexual Harassment Settlement

A former Mayor of Brooklyn, Ohio was accused of sexual harassment of two coworkers/employees. The City settled the suits for a total of $750,000.00.

The "seriously?" factor:  "Patton had pleaded guilty in May of 2010 to misdemeanor assault against Thiel. Investigators said Patton was drunk during the incident. A complaint filed with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation said Patton restrained her and rubbed his crotch against her back until other staffers intervened."

Cleveland Plain Dealer Article Regarding Settlement of Claims

Cost to the city:  The city will have to pay a deductible of $25,000 in each case and another $15,000 to $25,000 in fees.