Heritage Hires Abramoff Crony and Ethically Challenged ex-Representative Tom Feeney

On April 14, 2009, the Heritage Foundation announced it hired ex-Representative Tom Feeney to "consult" on community outreach.

"Feeney will consult on community outreach. ... Feeney, an Orlando attorney and longtime Oviedo resident, will participate in selected government, media and community relations projects for Heritage. He will help develop a newly formed community group, the Naples Committee for Heritage, and work to build membership across the state for the conservative policy research institute." [Politico, Glen Trush; 4/13/09]

Perhaps Heritage needs to be reminded that in three terms in the House, Feeney racked up numerous violations of House ethics rules.

Feeney & Abramoff

Feeney Sought To Change Energy Department Rule Tied To Abramoff Client. The St. Petersburg Times reported: "Tom Feeney insists he never helped convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, but in 2003 Feeney was among several lawmakers who wrote to the Energy Department opposing changes to a federal program that also were being fought by an Abramoff client." [St. Petersburg Times, 4/29/07]

Abramoff Paid For Feeney's Golf Vacation In Scotland. According to the St. Petersburg Times, five months after Feeney signed the Energy Department letter, "Abramoff treated a small group of people, including Feeney, to a luxury golf trip to Scotland that began with a trans-Atlantic flight on a private jet and featured twice-daily golf at world-famous locales." [St. Petersburg Times, 4/29/07]

Feeney Was Named By The FBI As "Representative #3" In Court Documents "Charging A Former House Aide With Helping Abramoff In His Conspiracy To Defraud The Public." The Hill reported: "Feeney's ties to Abramoff came under scrutiny this week for the second time after he was cited as 'Representative #3' in a DoJ document filed in court Monday charging a former House aide with helping Abramoff in his conspiracy to defraud the public." [The Hill, 4/24/07]

Tom Feeney: Lobbyists' Plane Pal

Tom Feeney Illegally Received Free Scotland Golf Vacation From Abramoff, Then Lied About It. According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, "Rep. Feeney traveled to Scotland to play golf from August 9-14, 2003, initially claiming that the cost of the trip was paid for by the National Center for Public Policy Research. The Center denied paying for the trip and it appears that Jack Abramoff was the person who actually footed the bill." [CREW, accessed 4/14/09; emphasis added]

The House Ethics Committee Ruled Feeney Had Inappropriately Accepted The Privately Funded Trip. According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, "on January 3, 2007, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct found that Rep. Feeney had inappropriately accepted the privately funded trip, which had no official connection to congressional duties. Rep. Feeney was directed to repay the general Treasury." [CREW, accessed 4/14/09]

"Feeney Violated House Rule Prohibiting Members From Accepting Travel Expenses From Agents Of A Foreign Principal." According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, "Rep. Feeney visited South Korea on a trip sponsored by the Korea-U.S. Exchange Council (KORUSEC), despite the fact that the organization is registered with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Rep. Feeney violated the House rule prohibiting members from accepting travel expenses from agents of a foreign principal." [CREW, accessed 4/14/09]

Feeney Violated House Rule Prohibiting Members From Accepting Trips Paid For By Registered Lobbying Firms. According to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, "Rep. Feeney and his wife traveled from Orlando, Florida to West Palm Beach, Florida to speak at 'Restoration Weekend' from November 13-November 16, 2003. According to the travel disclosure form Rep. Feeney originally submitted to the House Clerk's office, this trip, which cost $1,430, was paid for by a registered lobbying firm, something prohibited by House rules." [CREW, accessed 4/14/09]