Former Illinois state senator Larry Walsh (D-Joliet) is the the Will County Executive. While serving in Springfield, Walsh was one of Obama's friends, and the two often played poker together, and they refer to each other as friends.Five months ago, Walsh was sought out by NBC 5 Chicago's Carol Marin, who asked Walsh if Obama was ready to be president--Walsh responded that he was.
But Walsh may be ready to phone a lawyer, again--read below--if he hasn't already.
From the Washington Times:
According to sources, the Walsh investigation may be tied to lobbying firm Smith Dawson and Andrews, which was hired in 2006 for $10,000 per month to help Will County acquire federal grants.
The firm, which is registered with the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, assists clients with communications and legislative strategies that better their public policy agendas, according to its web site. Last month, Mr. Walsh announced that Will County was the recipient of a $750,000 federal government grant that would allow law enforcement and prosecutors to fight against domestic violence.
One of the firm's partners, James P. Smith, contributed $2,000 to help Mr. Walsh's county executive election bid.
A corn farmer from Joliet, Mr. Walsh has supported his friend's presidential bid, and campaigned for him in rural and farming areas of the state. They are seen hugging each other in photos before Mr. Obama's announcement that he was running for president.
The photograph of Walsh hugging Obama was taken in Springfield last year while Obama was in town to officially announce that he was running for president.
In April, Walsh was arrested for driving under the influence, and he pleaded guilty to the charge a few weeks later.
UPDATE 6:00pm:
Dispatches From The Far Gone World has found quite a bit of pork that Obama has requested for Will County since moving on to the US Senate. Walsh assumed his position as Will County Executive in 2005.
In 2006, Obama requested that Will County receive $1.3 million to support its Flood Studies for Unincorporated Will County.
In 2006, Obama requested $800,000 for the Will County Sheriff’s Office Wireless Communications Technology Upgrades.
In 2006, Obama requested $1,953,331 for Will County’s Ridgewood Water and Sewage Project.
In 2005, Obama requested $2 million for the Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, to establish a Center for Academic and Community Learning, which is designed to address the significant educational needs of the less advantaged in the Will County region by providing academic assistance not only for students on campus but also for residents of the surrounding communities.
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In 2006, Obama requested that Will County receive $1.3 million to support its Flood Studies for Unincorporated Will County.
ReplyDeleteIn 2006, Obama requested $800,000 for the Will County Sheriff’s Office Wireless Communications Technology Upgrades.
In 2006, Obama requested $1,953,331 for Will County’s Ridgewood Water and Sewage Project.
In 2005, Obama requested $2 million for the Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, to establish a Center for Academic and Community Learning, which is designed to address the significant educational needs of the less advantaged in the Will County region by providing academic assistance not only for students on campus but also for residents of the surrounding communities.
This stinks.
ReplyDeleteThis may end up exploding just before the election, and that stinks.
Democrats did this to GWB with the DUI offense. I don't want that to be the game plan here.
If journalists had really been doin' their jobs digging for this stuff months ago, we wouldn't be looking at the possibility of another "October surprise."
Stinks.