PolitiFact.com
Statements about Ethics
Restore Our Future

Restore Our Future

Mostly True

UPDATED: A fine by any other name....

Newt Gingrich "was fined $300,000 for ethics violations."

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Half-True

Decline in dependence due to several factors

"For the first time in 13 years, our dependence on foreign oil is below 50 percent."

William Perry

William Perry

Mostly True

Eight, not 11 is more like it

"Eleven states have enacted these pay-to-play reforms."

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Half-True

He kept one promise. Others have lagged

Says PolitiFact has said he "kept a campaign promise to toughen ethics rules."

Kasim Reed

Kasim Reed

Half-True

Hizzoner's verbal blast needs some more context

"Five members of [the Common Cause Georgia] board accepted maximum campaign contributions."

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich

Half-True

When a lobbyist isn't a lobbyist

"I never lobbied under any circumstance" for Freddie Mac.

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich

Pants on Fire!

A historian rewrites history

Says the congressional ethics investigation against him was conducted by "a very partisan political committee" in a way that "related more to the politics of the Democratic Party than to ethics."

Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity

Mostly False

Overheated claim about solar company

"(President Barack Obama gave) half a billion in taxpayer money to help his friends at Solyndra, a business the White House knew was on the path to bankruptcy."

Jim McGreevey

Jim McGreevey

Half-True

State contracts, not county ones

"After I had resigned or announced my resignation, I abolished -- I prohibited pay-to-play for people that had county or state contracts."

John Wisniewski

John Wisniewski

Mostly False

Nothing new here

Says Gov. Chris Christie has "now come up with a new agenda" for ethics reform in September 2011.  

Nathan Deal

Nathan Deal

True

Cuts same across the board

"[The state ethics commission] took absolutely the same percent of cuts as most other state agencies. … They were somewhere in the 7 percent range – same as the governor’s office."

Cory Booker

Cory Booker

False

What investigation?

The ACLU didn't call for an investigation (of the Newark police department), they called for an immediate federal monitor.

Kathie Tovo

Kathie Tovo

Mostly False

2,500 pennies

Says one of Austin City Council Member Randi Shade’s biggest contributors is the lobbyist for the Formula 1 racetrack planned outside Austin.  

Broward County Medical Association

Broward County Medical Association

True

Even with conflicts of interest, state law calls only for disclosure

In Florida, it’s not illegal for an immediate family member of state officials to prosper from legislation supported by a spouse.

Barbara Boxer

Barbara Boxer

Mostly True

Yes, but it may be unconstitutional anyway

Says House Republicans rejected a straightforward measure that would prevent members of Congress and the president from being paid during a government shutdown.

Anthony Weiner

Anthony Weiner

Half-True

Legal experts disagree

"Under the clear letter of the law, (Justice Clarence Thomas) must recuse himself" from the case challenging the constitutionality of the health care law.

J.D. Alexander

J.D. Alexander

Half-True

Maybe, but Scott still holds most of the cards

"The Constitution doesn't allow the governor to not-spend appropriations funds."

Joe Wilkinson

Joe Wilkinson

False

State lawmaker's ethics claim lacks greater context

A national organization says Georgia has one of America’s toughest ethics laws.

Michelle Malkin

Michelle Malkin

False

All our idea, says University of Arizona

The White House "branded" the memorial service for the Tucson shootings with a "Together We Thrive" logo and slogan.

Livable Damascus

Livable Damascus

Half-True

No evidence of harassment but he did trespass

Says Steve Spinnett has court judgments against him for trespass and harassment.

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