FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2006
RELEASE CONTACT: Lewis Lowe
985-369-7770

Melancon: Special Prosecutor for Mark Foley Scandal

Napoleonville, La.: Congressman Charlie Melancon joined Republicans and Democrats around the nation by calling for a special prosecutor to investigate who knew when they knew about Representative Mark Foley's (R-FL) contact with a 16 year-old House page.

"Mark Foley's actions should have raised red flags to anyone who came across his e-mails and instant messages with an underage Congressional page," Melancon said. "The House leadership has a responsibility to protect these kids that come to Washington to learn about our government. I call on my opponent to join me in asking for a special prosecutor to investigate this matter."

But for state Senator Craig Romero, that may be difficult. Romero has received $10,000 in campaign contributions from House Speaker Dennis Hastert's (R-IL) Keep Our Majority PAC and has bragged about how he will work with House leadership once in Washington. The National Republican Campaign Committee used part of a $100,000 donation by Foley to pay for a poll for Romero.

"Clearly, this is a matter that calls for a special prosecutor free from any partisanship," Melancon for Congress spokesman Lewis Lowe said. "Speaker Hastert has promised a full internal investigation, but considering his track record on oversight and investigation, the American people can't trust him to do that."

Thus far, Senator Romero does not have "enough information" to make a judgment on Hastert or Republican leadership [Times-Picayune, October 4]. Is his silence on the issue because Republican leaders are a part of Craig's crew?

"Any father or mother has enough information to know that Republican Congressional leaders did not take the proper steps to ensure the safety of our pages," Melancon said. "How can Romero not have enough information?"

"It is time for Romero to put his politics aside and ask for a prosecutor," Lowe said. "American families deserve to know how deep this cover-up goes."

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