Dodd, Conrad Cleared But Scolded in Mortgage Probe

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 7, 2009 3:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad have been cleared of wrongdoing in taking preferred loans from Countrywide Financial, the Hill reports. But the Senate ethics panel gave both Democrats slaps on the wrist. No “credible evidence” of ethics violations emerged, the committee said in a statement, but two “should have exercised more vigilance” to “avoid the appearance you were receiving preferential treatment."

The probe started last year after an accountability group asked the committee to investigate whether mortgages issued to Dodd and Conrad violated Senate gift rules. Both senators borrowed through the Countrywide “VIP program,” known internally as “Friends of Angelo” after former CEO Angelo Mozilo. Both Dodd and Conrad have said they never asked for preferential treatment.

[Images (4)]

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Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. (AP Photo)

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. (AP Photo)

Angelo Mozilo, founder and former chief executive officer of Countrywide Financial Corporation. (AP Photo)

The Countrywide Financial Corp. office in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo)

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I’ve said all along that I welcomed a close examination of my mortgages, and I’ve also said all along that Jackie and I received the same mortgages that anyone else could have received. - Sen. Chris Dodd

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 15 comments

DontLikeYou___

Aug 8, 2009 12:05 PM CDT

//// Democratic Sens. Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad were fully aware they were getting sweetened mortgage deals, the Countrywide Financial exec who handled their loans has told congressional investigators. /// http://www.newser.com/story/66...

DontLikeYou___

Aug 8, 2009 12:03 PM CDT

Democrats in Congress are so crooked. Dodds should have gotten jail time for his crimes against the people of this nation. Maybe one day, when these thugs are out of Washington, he and other democrats can be brought up on charges for their crimes. I hope.

lindamae

Aug 8, 2009 7:09 AM CDT

Being a little guilty is like being a little pregnant. Perhaps he can go back to his home is Iowa where he lived during the primary. He no longer represents CT. Or, he could go to his little mansion in Ireland. Did you notice that Mr. Dodd is NOT going to Canada or England for his surgery? If he had lived there, he'd have announced that he was beginning his yearlong wait. Why don't we believe the facts from Canada and England about their horrible health care?

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The Hill (Source Grid »)

Politics • Crime & Courts • Money

Congress • Chris Dodd • home loans • Countrywide Financial • Senate Ethics Committee • Angelo Mozilo • VIPs • Kent Conrad

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