Nabbed NJ Pols Lived in 'Ethics-Free Zone': Feds

NJ governor tops poll; isn't running for president

(NEWSER) - Chris Christie isn't just hot stuff in his own mind: The New Jersey governor is the hottest politician in America right now, besting even the current occupant of the Oval Office by 57 points to 56.5 in Quinnipiac's latest poll. But while that's great for Christie, that's not so great for Republicans, notes Talking Points Memo , particularly those with their eye on the White House. More»

Size could matter for leading GOP contender

(NEWSER) - Chris Christie is widely seen as a leading GOP contender for 2012 but some analysts see a hefty obstacle in the way: Chris Christie. America hasn't had an obese president since William Howard Taft a century ago and bias against the overweight could count against the New Jersey governor." Image does matter," a pollster tells Reuters . "That is something that is in the voters' subconscious whether they want to admit it or not." More»

ABC investigation finds no shortage of sleaze at state level

(NEWSER) - You hear a lot more about the sleaze in Congress and governors' mansions than the sleaze at the state legislator level, but that's not because of a lack of low-down behavior, an ABC News investigation finds. Five grad students sent to cover a national convention of state legislators in Louisville, Ky., where the bourbon flowed freely, found an plethora of shenanigans among the hundreds of politicians and staffers in attendance. More»

Chen Shui-bian and wife both found guilty of embezzlement, taking bribes

(AP) - The former president of Taiwan was convicted of corruption and sentenced to life imprisonment today, marking a watershed event in the island's turbulent political history. Chen Shui-bian, president from 2000 to 2008, was charged with embezzling $3.15 million from a special presidential fund, receiving bribes worth at least $9 million, money laundering, and other charges. His wife was also convicted and sentenced to life. More»

(NEWSER) - Israeli police have recommended the indictment of the country's foreign minister for bribery, money laundering, and other corruption charges, Haaretz reports. Avigdor Lieberman, who leads the ultranationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party and was kingmaker in February's closely-run election, has been under investigation for years and is accused of funneling cash to a chain of front companies and bank accounts even after he became a minister. If charged and convicted he faces 31 years in jail. More»