Jim McElhatton
Articles by Jim McElhatton
USDA, FCC blamed in company’s collapse
Wireless provider Open Range Communications recently filed for bankruptcy owing U.S. taxpayers more than $70 million from a loan awarded in the waning days of the George W. Bush administration, but now creditors are faulting the Obama administration's handling of the loan. Published January 4, 2012
USPS memo highlights privacy violations
The U.S. Postal Service has quietly sought to "immunize" itself from Privacy Act challenges to its address-correction service, a program that gives credit, marketing and data-service providers access to updated name and address information for tens of millions of Americans. Published January 3, 2012
Super-PAC shifts to Romney
A political group that had previously planned to back Rep. Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign instead has poured nearly a half-million dollars into efforts to elect former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Published December 28, 2011
MF Global chief missing $1.2B is financial adviser to EPA
Even as he finds himself the public face of investment firm MF Global's bankruptcy and admitted to lawmakers that he had no idea how client funds disappeared, Congress and the administration have voiced no public concern about Bradley Abelow's role advising the $8.6 billion government agency on its finances. Published December 27, 2011
Solyndra’s court shopping puts bull’s-eye on Delaware
Back when President Obama toured the company last year, California-based Solyndra LLC billed itself as an innovative solar-panel maker whose product would transform the energy market and create lots of jobs near its Fremont, Calif., headquarters. Published December 22, 2011
Gingrich drew inspiration from management theorist
In March 1992, House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich sent copies of two major speeches to a man about twice his age living in Washington. Published December 21, 2011
Obama fills vacancies on independent privacy board
President Obama has named two lawyers and a former federal judge to an independent privacy board recommended by the 9/11 Commission that has sat dormant for years under he and President George W. Bush. Published December 15, 2011
IRS files tax lien of more than $3,200 against Barry
D.C. Council member Marion Barry serves on a finance committee overseeing the expenditure of billions of tax dollars, but continues having trouble making good on his own tax bill, records show. Published December 14, 2011
Closing mail sorting plants put on hold
Just days after top U.S. Postal Service officials said they were moving ahead to close mail sorting facilities nationwide, the agency halted the plans Tuesday amid pressure from members of Congress. Published December 13, 2011
Grand jury begins probe of Solyndra
A grand jury has begun investigating Solyndra LLC, the failed California solar-panel maker that lost more than a half-billion dollars in federal loans, according to law-firm billing records. Published December 13, 2011
Stenholm lobbying records erased after Open Range filing
Senate disclosures show that former Rep. Charles W. Stenholm lobbied as recently as this summer for Open Range Communications, the now-bankrupt wireless company that owes U.S. taxpayers more than $70 million. Published December 12, 2011
Feds use video surveillance to catch fraud for workers’ comp
The husband and wife postal workers at a North Carolina mail-sorting plant were out of work and collecting disability benefits when they first came under surveillance. Published December 7, 2011
Lack of cash means slower mail delivery
The U.S. Postal Service moved to change first-class mail delivery standards for the first time in decades, seeking to end next-day delivery for letters, a grim reminder of the need to save the nation's mail service, one lawmaker said. Published December 5, 2011
Republicans: Solyndra documents withheld
House Republicans accused the White House Thursday of blocking the release of documents on the failed half-billion loan to solar panel maker Solyndra LLC, the California company once hailed as a darling of the stimulus program. Published December 1, 2011
Online soap opera cleans up with stimulus broadband cash
You may not have seen the show "Diary of a Single Mom" co-starring Billy Dee Williams, but your tax dollars helped pay for it. Published December 1, 2011
Postal watchdog: Alaska subsidy costs millions
A program that began nearly 40 years ago as a way to get crucial goods to remote Alaskan communities now delivers big profits to airlines and private merchants while costing the U.S. Postal Service tens of millions of dollars, according to a postal watchdog. Published November 30, 2011
Bankrupt wireless firm probe kept closed
A wireless company that went bankrupt owing taxpayers more than $70 million secured a court order Monday to keep under wraps an investigation into whether it has "viable claims" against the federal government. Published November 28, 2011
Union will push to save mail delivery on Saturdays
The head of a major union for nearly 200,000 mail carriers expressed disappointment Monday that the White House has not opposed the U.S. Postal Service's plans to save money by eliminating home delivery of mail on Saturdays. Published November 21, 2011
Chu: No politics involved on Solyndra deal
Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu denied playing politics in his handling of a failed half-billion-dollar loan to solar panel maker Solyndra LLC, days after newly released emails showed his department sought to delay bad news about the company until after the 2010 mid-term elections. Published November 17, 2011
Cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service still owes retired postmaster
In a year when the U.S. Postal Service lost more than $5 billion, former Postmaster General John E. Potter still received more than a quarter-million dollars thanks to a hefty deferred-compensation package, a "lifetime achievement award" and a severance deal, records show. Published November 16, 2011
