Jul 21, 2011
Are David Rivera’s Ethical Challenges Just a Typo?
When the National Republican Congressional Committee announced it was holding a major fundraiser in Miami with special guest Republican Leader Eric Cantor and the Florida House delegation, there was one notable omission: Representative David Rivera (FL-25). Before he was even sworn in as a Member of Congress, Rivera has been dogged by a dark ethical cloud and some Republican leaders have distanced themselves from him, with Majority Leader Eric Cantor saying he was “very concerned” about the mounting investigations. But after several reports highlighted that Rivera was not invited to join his colleagues, Republicans are now claiming his omission was “just a typo.”
“David Rivera is the most ethically challenged Freshman Member of Congress and Republican leaders were clearly trying to avoid his ethical stain by leaving him off the invite list,” said Adam Hodge of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Now that Eric Cantor has decided to violate his own ‘zero-tolerance’ pledge by inviting Congressman Rivera to dinner, does he think the multiple investigations Rivera faces aren’t a big deal?”
Background:
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said he was “Very Concerned” about the Rivera Probe. In February 2011, Cantor said, “There are ongoing investigations in Florida involving Congressman Rivera, and we are respectful of those investigations […] I’m obviously very concerned about the reports surrounding those investigations, but we’ll wait to see the results of them.” [The Hill, 2/28/11]
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor Previously Avoided Rivera While in Miami. “House Majority Leader Eric Cantor avoided making contact with Florida Rep. David Rivera during a visit to Miami last weekend and instructed aides not to reach out to the first-term congressman […] ‘Given the recent reports and the ongoing investigation in Florida, Eric is concerned and believes that this was the appropriate way to handle this situation,’” said Cantor’s spokesperson. [Politico, 2/25/11]
Last Summer Cantor Pledged Zero-Tolerance. Republican Whip Eric Cantor said, “I think that as Republicans emerge as a new governing majority, it is incumbent upon us to institute a zero-tolerance policy — that we understand there are reasons for our being fired in '06 and '08 […] We cannot tolerate any ethics violations or behavior in terms of compromising the ethics that the people expect us to have as their representatives.” [YouTube, uploaded 8/10/10]
David Rivera Was Originally Left Off the Invite List For The Miami Fundraiser. “It looks like every Republican U.S. Rep. from Florida is sponsoring an upcoming Miami fundraising dinner featuring Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Except for one: Miami Rep. David Rivera, who's snarled in a legal investigation over his ties to a $500,000 dog track contract, his changing statements, and his questionable federal and state financial disclosure forms (each of which he changed).” [Miami Herald, 7/18/11]
Now, David Rivera Has Been Invited to the NRCC Fundraiser. “It seems the National Republican Congressional Committee inadvertently left Miami Rep. David Rivera off its list of congressional Florida Republicans sponsoring a dinner for House Republican leader Eric Cantor. Rivera was the only one of the 19 Republicans who didn't make the first send. He's also the only one under investigation for his ties to a secret $500,000 dog track contract.” [Miami Herald, 7/19/11]
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