Monday, May 23, 2016

Virginia Governor McAuliffe under investigation over illegal fundraising

The Justice Department and the FBI are investigating the Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe for illegal campaign fundraising in his election in 2013. While it is not clear currently what exactly triggered the investigation, they are looking into a possible $120,000 donation by a wealthy Chinese businessman Wang Wenliang. According to law, foreign nationals are not permitted to donate to federal, state or local elections. The investigation is ongoing.
Mr. Wenliang has has also donated 2 million dollars to the Clinton Foundation in 2013, and has held numerous important business positions, including holding a position in China's parliament, controlling a port, and owning Rilin Enterprises, a conglomerate that builds Chinese embassies worldwide. His intrusion into American affairs seems to suggest he has some sort of interest in American politics, and he wants his voice heard in American government.
This is not the first time Mr. McAuliffe has faced scrutiny over possibly shady dealings. In 2011 and 2012, Mr. McAuliffe headed a foreign auto company, GreenTech Automotive, and helped bring it to the United States. However, despite hundred of thousands of dollars in foreign support from investors into the newly- imported company,production was well below and job creation never met expectations at the plant in Mississippi. Mr. McAuliffe resigned in December 2012.

Washington Post 


Questions:
- Should foreign interests be restricted in donating to American political campaigns?
- How can we reduce the power of special interests in government from affecting and possible overruling the voice of the people?
- Do you think that groups like the Clinton Foundation ought to be able to receive those sums of money (up to 2 million) in the name of a organization, when it really goes to political figures?
- Seeing as Mr. McAuliffe's predecessor, Gov. Robert McDonnell was convicted of corruption in 2014 due to receiving illegal campaign donations, do you think that the US is becoming more orrupt, or has this always been the norm?

Sources:
Washington Times
CBS
Washington Post

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