By Adam Kramer
Since 1991 nearly all of the Queens congressional delegation received campaign contributions from the bankrupt energy trading company Enron and/or the embattled accounting firm of Arthur Andersen.
Campaign donation records show that all Queens members of the House of Representatives except U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) took contributions ranging from $500 to $8,000 from either Enron or Andersen and in some cases from both entities, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan and non-profit research organization that tracks money in politics and its effects.
Houston-based Enron, which filed for bankruptcy protection late last year, was the nation’s seventh largest company and the biggest bankruptcy case in the history of the United States.
Enron is suspected of using a maze of partnerships to hide massive losses in controversial accounting practices that were approved by its outside auditor, Arthur Andersen.
Contribution records show U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, received a total $24,433 in campaign contributions from Enron in 1997 and 1998. He returned $2,500 in 1999-2000, leaving a total of $21,933.
U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who does not sit on any committees involved in energy or slated to investigate Enron’s downfall or, received far less then Schumer. Enron gave her $950.
Enron has contributed significant amounts to both Republican and Democratic officials across the country as well as President Bush.
Of the Queens congressional delegation both U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside) and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Astoria) received $3,500 in contributions to their campaigns from Enron. U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) accepted $1,500 from the embattled energy giant.
Enron contributed $1,000 to Ackerman each year from 1993-1994, 1995-1996 and 1999-2000. He received $500 in the 1997- 1998 cycle.
Jordan Goldes, a spokesman for Ackerman, said the Enron contributions were over the course of a number of years and were equal to about “$1 a day.”
“It was not a lump sum of $20,000 or $20,000 each year like some members of Congress,” he said.
Goldes said the money was spent in the past and it was a “minimal amount.”
Rangel got two $500 contributions from Enron in the 1995-1996 period and 2001-2002. He received $1,000 in 1999-2000 and $1,500 in 1997-1998.
Weiner was given $1,000 by Enron in the 1999-2000 span and $500 in the 2001- 2002 period.
Jacqulyn Giunta, a spokeswoman for Weiner, said the congressman has donated the campaign money he received from Enron to the Enron Ex-employee Relief Fund.
“Enron is going to have an effect on everyone,” said Mike McKay, a spokesman for Meeks. But, he said, there is no way to tell how its bankruptcy will affect Queens.
He said Meeks has not taken campaign funds from Enron, Enron’s agents or Enron employees, although in the past the congressman has met with Enron officials to “discuss energy policy and issues.” The topic of campaign contributions was never broached, he said.
Everyone, except Meeks, took contributions from the Big Five accounting firm of Arthur Andersen.
Ackerman was given $2,500, U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) received $1,000 and U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Forest Hills) accepted $1,000. U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) took $4,000 from Arthur Andersen, Rangel got $6,000, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Ridgewood) accepted $8,000 and Weiner was given $500.
Andersen’s contributions to the campaigns took place over a 12-year period from 1991 to 2002. The gifts to the elected officials varied from a low of $250 to a high of $3,500 in any given year.
Andersen gave Schumer $38,584 in contributions from 1995 to 2002. A big chunk — $34,334 — was contributed in 1999-2000 during his first term as a U.S. senator. A former congressman, he received a total of $60,517 from both companies from in the period from 1995 to 2002.
Clinton received $1,965 from the accounting giant Andersen, during the years 1999 and 2000. She accepted $2,915 between 1999 and 2000 for her successful senatorial win over Rick Lazio.
A number of congressional committees have begun investigations into why Enron failed and whether Andersen used deceptive accounting practices. Four members of the borough’s congressional delegation sit on committees that have begun or are planning to lead an investigation into what happened in the dramatic collapse of Enron.
Ackerman sits on the House Financial Service Committee along with Crowley, Maloney and Velazquez. Maloney is also a member of the House Government Reform Committee.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
