NPR: From Obama in 2001, A Garden To Nowhere?

From Obama in 2001, A Garden To Nowhere?

The Illinois attorney general is investigating the fate of a $100,000 grant that Barack Obama, then a state senator, awarded to a neighborhood group back in 2001. The money was meant to pay for a botanic garden in Englewood, a neighborhood of Chicago.

If you guessed by now that the garden never blossomed, you're right. The Chicago Sun-Times broke the story this morning.

According to the Sun-Times, $65,000 from the grant went to the wife of the head of the Chicago Better Housing Association -- a man who had volunteered on Obama's unsuccessful House campaign in 2000. The paper says another $25,000 went to a construction firm set up by the man's wife.

The story cites a spokeswoman for the attorney general, saying that the probe is focused on the the housing association's tax status and use of the money, not on Obama's role in awarding the grant.

-- Peter Overby

12:20 PM ET | 09-25-2008 | permalink

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where are all the disciples of the "Chosen One" defending his actions on this one or blaming it on the right wing Sun Times for its blatant slant on the story?

Sent by Mike Cloghessy | 2:50 PM ET | 09-25-2008

The silence is deafening! The "Chosen One" could never be capable of this...?
Of course he shouldn't have used grant money...he could have waved his hand over the area and turned it into a garden of eden.

Sent by Mike Cloghessy | 5:36 PM ET | 09-25-2008

This a good posting. Like John McCain, Barak Obama has to answer for his past. I'd like to know if this is an example of accountability in his relatively small role as a community organizer and how it will translate to the monumental responsibilities of the executive office. If he was complicit in this transaction, and together with the history and association with his place of worship does suggest questionable character and judgment. It goes both ways. A third or fourth party could go a long way to provide integrity to high office.

Sent by Bob | 6:48 PM ET | 09-25-2008

The previous comments were by people who would be outraged had one dare to mention that Palin gave the state of Alaska Per Diem bills for days she spent at home. A businessman would be fired for defroading his company for such behavior. I do not care that she defrauded Alaska, that's its business. I'd like, however, to know that as VP Sarah will not charge the feds and me extra Per-Diem when she decides to take an Alaska vacation. But first, Sarah, how about giving back to the treasury the money you got for the bridge to nowhere after congress decided to can the project?

Sent by ED MOSS | 1:45 AM ET | 09-26-2008

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