Cornerstone flap old, Kanjo says

Old news is still old to U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski, no matter what his opponents say.

The 11-term Democrat from Nanticoke said partisan politics was behind a story published Wednesday in the Washington, D.C.-based Politico.com about the bankrupt research and development company that was headed by the congressman’s nephew, Peter Kanjorski.

“No doubt this inquiry was triggered by the relentless assault the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee launched against me in the 2002 campaign. The voters scrutinized their unfounded charges then and overwhelmingly re-elected me,” he said in a statement released Friday.

“But the Republicans will not give up. Now they are trying to recycle these baseless charges to encourage a candidate to run against me.”

The story, “A twisted tail of earmarking,” by Ken Vogel, a former Times Leader reporter, said the Office of Naval Research is seeking the return of a high-tech piece of equipment developed with some of the $9.25 million in federal funds the congressman steered to Cornerstone Technologies LLC. The water-jet pump has yet to be located, the story said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee reacted to the piece, saying, “Paul Kanjorski’s unethical behavior is catching up with him.”

Kanjorski labeled the story “another case of the media proverbially ‘beating a dead horse,’ ” and said voters weren’t fooled by the committee’s tactics in the past and they won’t this time.

In the 2002 race where the Cornerstone connection was raised, Kanjorski beat Republican challenger Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta. The contest was the closest the incumbent had since he first ran in 1984.

To date no one has come forward to challenge Kanjorski in 2008 for the seat in the 11th Congressional District.

Investigations into possible wrongdoing on his part and Cornerstone’s turned up nothing, Kanjorski said, adding he’s cooperated with everyone involved, answered questions and provided facts to back up his statements.

“Let’s end the war, fight for better health care and education, and protect seniors while we put this nonsense behind us,” he said.

A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee said the congressman still has some explaining to do.

“Paul Kanjorski has no one to blame but himself for his unethical behavior,” said Ken Spain, NRCC spokesman. “The American taxpayer and the United States Navy deserve answers from Congressman Kanjorski, not far-fetched excuses coupled with partisan finger pointing.”

Clear 27°

News

Military seeks return of equipment developed by his nephew’s bankrupt company.

On the web

On the Web

Place Quick Ads