ANOTHER OBAMA CHOICE

[nastygunz]

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AP Exclusive: Gregg Had Stake In, Won Aid For Base
Senator Says Investments Were Disclosed, Weren't Illegal
POSTED: 6:35 am EST February 27, 2009
UPDATED: 10:25 am EST February 27, 2009


WASHINGTON -- An AP investigation shows New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg steered taxpayer money to the redevelopment of the former Pease Air Force base while he and his brother made real estate deals there.

Gregg said there's nothing illegal about it and that it had nothing to do with him withdrawing as President Barack Obama's nominee to be commerce secretary.

Senate records show Gregg personally invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in Cyrus Gregg's office projects at the Pease International Tradeport, collecting at least $240,000 to $652,000 from his investments there. The records show Gregg helped arrange at least $66 million in federal aid for the former base.

"Each year, all of these investments have been publicly disclosed and are transparent," Gregg said in a written statement. "However, as solely a passive investor, I play absolutely no active role in business decisions related to these investments at Pease."

Gregg said that the projects at Pease were requested by the National Guard, city of Portsmouth or other public officials. (Read Gregg Statement)

Under Senate ethics rules, Gregg has to certify that federal aid he directs to specific projects was not intended solely to enrich him or his family.