Today, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Rep. Rod Blum and his shady internet company Tin Moon. Earlier this year, an Associated Press report revealed that Blum hid his role as CEO of Tin Moon, an internet marketing firm that profits from burying damaging information online about companies with questionable practices, including FDA healthy and safety violations.
Blum, a member of the House Small Business Committee and House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, was caught using taxpayer resources to promote the company, including wearing his official pin in promotional materials and featuring his top staffer in testimonial videos. The FDA is warning companies not to work with Tin Moon as Blum dodges questions back home, and the Gazette editorial board called Blum’s conduct troubling and disappointing. Blum was later caught scrubbing the website of his involvement as he tried to downplay his role to voters, as the company’s anti-consumer practices put the health and safety of Iowans at risk.
DCCC Spokesperson Rachel Irwin issued the following statement:
“Rod Blum promised Iowans that he would drain the swamp, now he’s caught swimming in it. His downfall from self-branded Tea Party outsider to corrupt Washington politician has been swift and emblematic of everything wrong with a Republican-controlled government.
“The bottom line: Blum is a corrupt politician who used taxpayer resources to promote his unethical business and enrich himself. Blum already faced an uphill battle heading into November, and this pending investigation shatters any ounce of credibility he had left. This ethics investigation will haunt him like a dark cloud through Election Day.”
Here’s what you need to know about Blum’s ethics scandal:
- Roll Call Headline: “Vulnerable Rod Blum Under House Ethics Inquiry” [Roll Call, 9/4/18]
- KCRG Headline: “FDA Warns Against Working With Iowa Congressman’s Company” [KCRG, 5/18/18]
- Des Moines Register Headline: “Company Linked to Iowa Congressman Scrubs Any Mention Of Him” [Des Moines Register, 3/15/18]
- The Gazette Editorial Headline: “Rod Blum’s Questionable Conduct And Indignant Response Are Disappointing” [The Gazette, 3/2/18]
- The Gazette Headline: “Rep. Rod Blum’s Firm Offered To Obscure FDA Warnings” [The Gazette, 2/22/18]
- Des Moines Register Headline: “Rod Blum Didn’t Disclose That He Was A Director For An Internet Company – Which Posted A Testimonial From His Current Chief Of Staff” [Des Moines Register, 2/21/18]
- KCRG Headline: “Congressman Rod Blum Failed To Disclose Internet Company [KCRG, 2/21/18]