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Obama Gives Stanford Money to Charity

Alleged fraud artist donated to many pols, including McCain

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2009 12:06 PM CST
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(Newser) – Barack Obama has donated the $4,600 in campaign contributions he received from R. Allen Stanford to charity, the LA Times reports. Obama is one of many politicians the alleged fraudster courted; another was John McCain, who promised yesterday that he too would return or donate the funds. Stanford was a prolific donor and lobbyist, covering his bases on both sides of the aisle.

McCain has raked in $28,150 from Stanford employees since 2000, third among members of Congress behind Rep. Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas ($41,375), and Sen. Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat ($45,900). Stanford Group also gave $800,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2002, the year Nelson was vice chairman—and the year Congress was considering anti-fraud legislation Stanford was lobbying against.

In this Wednesday, June 11, 2008 file photo, Sir R. Allen Stanford waves at Lords Cricket Ground in London.
In this Wednesday, June 11, 2008 file photo, Sir R. Allen Stanford waves at Lords Cricket Ground in London.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)
President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to speak at Dobson High School in Mesa, Ariz., Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, about the housing foreclosure problem.
President Barack Obama waves as he arrives to speak at Dobson High School in Mesa, Ariz., Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, about the housing foreclosure problem.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
President Barack Obama pauses while speaking prior to signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver.
President Barack Obama pauses while speaking prior to signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
In this June 11, 2008 file photo, Sir R. Allen Stanford, poses for photos at the Lords Cricket Ground in London.
In this June 11, 2008 file photo, Sir R. Allen Stanford, poses for photos at the Lords Cricket Ground in London.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
sailor86
Feb 19, 2009 2:02 AM CST
Hey, Mr. President! I'm taking donations!
Guest
Feb 19, 2009 12:53 AM CST
I wish some group would lobby me.

 
Barack Obama • fraud • campaign contributions • Stanford Financial Group • Robert Allen Stanford

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