Hillary’s Immigrant Problem

Today Hillary was in pillory once again over free trips, private jet travel, and million dollar contributions to the Clintons by Vinod Gupta, head of InfoUSA, the company that sold the lists of elderly identies to con-men who then cleaned out their retirement accounts.

hillary.jpgYesterday we detailed the indictment of a Pakistani who illegally  contributed to Hillary Clinton here, today we are going to talk about InfoUSA and another immigrant contributor, Vinod Gupta.

InfoUSA, a list-broker firm whose questionable practices are all over the news, is headed by an immigrant self-made millionaire, but Vinod Gupta probably doesn’t have to worry much since he has friends in high places. Here’s what the opinion columnist at the St. Petersburg Times had to say about InfoUSA’s questionable practices (reprinted by Kansas City Star:  )

In the Hall of Shame for those who allow vulnerable old people to be bilked out of their savings, add these familiar names: InfoUSA and Wachovia banks. Scam artists bought mailing lists of elderly Americans considered gullible compiled and marketed by infoUSA to find easy marks. Then the schemers drained their victim’s accounts using unsigned checks that were willingly cashed by Wachovia.

No one is saying that infoUSA or Wachovia broke the law, though an investigation could soon be under way.

Today Hillary was in pillory once again over free trips, private jet travel, and a million dollar contribution, and millions in consulting fees to the Clintons by Vinod Gupta, head of InfoUSA. Yes, the same company that sold the lists of elderly identities to con-men who then cleaned out their retirement accounts.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that she followed all Senate rules when she accepted rides on a private jet from a longtime benefactor.

“Whatever I’ve done, I complied with Senate rules at the time. That’s the way every senator operates,” the Democratic presidential contender said in an interview with The Associated Press during a campaign stop in Las Vegas.

The travel and consulting fees paid to Clinton’s husband have come to light recently in a lawsuit against Vinod Gupta, a Clinton contributor and chief executive of the data company, InfoUSA Inc.

The lawsuit by company shareholders accuses Gupta of excessively spending millions of dollars, including $900,000 worth of travel on the Clintons.

Sen. Clinton, who complained about corporate America’s largesse and skyrocketing executive pay during campaign events Wednesday, said she did not believe her message was undermined by her acceptance of the private flights. In line with Senate rules then in effect, Clinton’s campaign has said she reimbursed Gupta at the cost of a first-class flight, typically a significant discount off the expense of a private jet
“Those were the rules. You’ll have to ask somebody else whether that’s good policy,” she said.

Now here’s the money quote from the article:

The senator made light of her own personal wealth.

“I know a lot of rich people. My husband and I never had any money … now all the sudden we’re rich,” Clinton said. “I have nothing against rich people. … but what made America great is the American middle class.”

Could the 2 million dollar consulting fee from Gupta have helped? Perhaps the 1 Million dollar contribution to the library foundation?  For more on the InfoUSA / Gupta story and their Clinton Connection, see the National Ledger.

The Clintons are certainly loved by immigrants, like the Buddhist foundation who also contributed illegal campaign funds to Bill Clinton’s campaign. You should be careful of the company you keep and the character they display, especially if you intend to be president. After all what is it you call someone who can be bought by anyone?