http://www.arizonarepublic.com/news/articles/1227enron27.html

Enron gave $100K to Dems Energy firm hires former Clinton lawyer

Associated Press Dec. 27, 2001

WASHINGTON - A week before filing for bankruptcy protection, energy giant Enron Corp. donated $100,000 to the Democratic Party committee that helps Senate candidates, campaign finance reports show.

The company, which had given 90 percent of its money to Republicans this year before the Democratic donations, also has hired high-profile Washington lawyer Robert Bennett, whose past clients include President Clinton.

"Donations of this type reflect certain political realities which are followed by all major corporations," Bennett said Wednesday, explaining Enron's $50,000 checks on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Enron filed for Chapter 11 protection on Dec. 2.

Tovah Ravitz-Meehan, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Senate fund-raising committee, said the head of the organization, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., has asked that Enron's money be given to a charitable organization helping laid-off Enron workers. She said the charity hasn't been chosen.

Earlier this week, Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee demanded that the Federal Trade Commission investigate why company executives were allowed to cash out their stock while other employees were prevented from selling the shares in their retirement accounts.

Bennett said there was no connection between the inquiries and the donations.

Bennett represented Clinton in the sexual-harassment lawsuit filed by Paula Jones, and he was the Senate Select Committee on Ethics' counsel in the investigation of five senators linked to a failed savings and loan operator.

Before the contributions to the Democrats, Enron this year had contributed $173,000 to candidates and parties, with almost 90 percent going to Republicans.

The Justice Department is investigating Enron for possible criminal conduct. The Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission are conducting civil investigations.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Answers

Being a Dem, the Dems look OK to me in this matter.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

I think the issue is more how they could justify giving the money away knowing they were going to file bankruptcy.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001

Good point, beckie.

-- Anonymous, December 27, 2001