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Sen. Richard Shelby steers cash to ex-aides – Manu Raju and John Bresnahan – POLITICO.com

Shelby’s earmarking doesn’t appear to run afoul of Senate rules or federal ethics laws. But critics said his tactics are part of a Washington culture in which lawmakers direct money back home to narrow interests, which, in turn, hire well-connected lobbyists — often former congressional aides — who enjoy special access on Capitol Hill.

“It is a system that is in direct conflict of interest with our oath of office because it’s parochial,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), an earmark critic who declined to comment on Shelby directly.

Shelby secured $427 million worth of earmarks in 2008, $322 million in 2009 and $173 million in 2010, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense. Shelby has often provided earmarks to entities that don’t have his former staffers doing their bidding, like $210 million for a prison in the tiny Alabama town of Aliceville.

via Sen. Richard Shelby steers cash to ex-aides – Manu Raju and John Bresnahan – POLITICO.com.

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