Ernest Istook: “I think sometimes people are missing the point, and that is that last July 19 a smoking gun was laid down regarding the…”

“I think sometimes people are missing the point, and that is that last July 19 a smoking gun was laid down regarding the House post office through the guilty plea and the conviction of Robert V. Rota, who served for about 20 years as the Postmaster. He went to Federal court that day and pleaded guilty to three charges of helping Members of Congress to embezzle tens of thousands of dollars from the taxpayers. It is in the court records. It is there for everyone to see. It is not whispering anymore. It is not rumors. The U.S. Government told the court on that day that they were prepared to prove that Mr. Rota helped these Members to embezzle the money, three counts of embezzlement laid right at the feet of Members of Congress. What has happened since that time? Nothing. The ethics committee does not know which Members. They do not know how many Members. They do not know how much money. Any company that had internal embezzlement would have an internal investigation in addition to what is being done by a prosecutor. That is all that we are seeking to do. If you were shareholders in a company, you would insist that be done by your management. We are no different. The U.S. Government said in the papers that several Members of Congress were involved. We do not know how many. But how can you decide to defer if you do not know the basic facts?”