The widespread corruption in Washington that seems to be at record levels should be of concern to all of us. In fact, there is so much political corruption on Capitol Hill that the FBI has had to triple the number of squads investigating lobbyists, lawmakers, and influence peddlers, according to a report in the New York Daily News. For decades, only one squad in Washington handled corruption cases because the crimes were seen as local offenses handled by FBI field offices in lawmakers’ home districts. But in recent years, the massive Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal and other abuses of power and privilege have prompted the FBI to assign 37 agents full-time to three new squads in an office near Capitol Hill.

Based on information that I have read, I am not sure only 37 agents can handle this job. The FBI wants enough agents in the Washington field office for a fourth corruption squad “because so much wrongdoing is being uncovered.” FBI Assistant Director Chip Burrus, who heads the FBI’s criminal division, says that the typical crimes involve lawmakers’ illegal interactions with lobbyists and “people who have a lot of savvy about how the congressional process works and appropriations.”

According to the report, two years ago only 400 agents worked on public corruption cases. Now, 615 agents nationwide are trying to nail public servants for betraying the public trust in 2,200 ongoing cases. That is highly significant and tells us that a crackdown on corruption is badly needed. I don’t believe the American people will put up much longer with all of the corruption that is being uncovered in Washington.

Source: Washington Daily News

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