After the gift scandal | The game is much the same

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/09/after-gift-scandal-game-much-same



After the gift scandal | The game is much the same
By Joanne Kimberlin
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 11, 2014

The McDonnell trial is over, but gift-giving is still a gravy train for executive and legislative officials in Virginia, despite being at the core of one of the most scandalous episodes in the state’s political history.

After the ex-governor and his wife were indicted earlier this year, lawmakers submitted dozens of bills aimed at reining things in. The one that survived – HB1211 – is 120 pages of definitions, fine points and exceptions.

~snip~

bottom line

A little tightening, offset by some loosening, leaves Virginia with some of the weakest ethics rules in the country despite all the huge headlines and hand-wringing.

so what has changed?

Start with one question: If the new rules had been in effect during McDonnell’s term, what part of Jonnie Williams’ freebies and loans would the first family have been barred from accepting, or at least required to report?