The New York Times has been investigating a controversial immigration case that could present another challenge for Hillary Clinton as she prepares for her presidential run. At the center of the controversy is a rather disreputable character named Estefanía Isaías. A wealthy, well-connected Ecuadorean television executive, she was barred from coming to the United States after being caught fraudulently obtaining visas for her maids. However, the New York Times reports that the Clinton State Department intervened to get her into the country “so that Ms. Isaías could work for an Obama fund-raiser with close ties to the administration.” The newspaper also notes that her fortunes changed after “her family gave tens of thousands of dollars to Democratic campaigns.” Her family is accused of fraud costing the poor country $400 million. There are also serious questions being raised about the efforts of Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey in leading the intensive efforts to countermand the decisions of career officials in Washington and Ecuador in the case.
The Obama Administration is also refusing to extradite her father and uncle, Roberto and William Isaías, who were sentenced in absentia in 2012 to eight years in prison for running their bank into the ground and then presenting false balance sheets to profit from bailout funds. In the meantime, Ecuador says that Isaías bought protection in the United States and she continues to live in Miami off the profits of a looted bank in Ecuador.
Isaías had the added problem of filing false visa pretenses to get her maids into the country and then left them at her parents’ Miami home while she traveled. American consular officials called it “alien smuggling.”
Isaías was blocked from returning to the country. What followed was an intense effort for over a year by Senator Robert Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey get her the ban lifted. The Isaías family is a major donor to Menendez even though they do not live in his state. His staff reached out to Mrs. Clinton’s chief of staff, Cheryl Mills. The timing could not look worse. The day after an email from Mr. Menendez’s office told the family that they had secured a waiver from the State Department, Ms. Isaías’s mother gave $40,000 to the Obama Victory Fund, which provided donations to the president and other Democrats.
In 2012, the Isaías family also donated about $100,000 to the Obama Victory Fund. The Times reports that their largest donations came “just before a request to the administration.” Ms. Isaías’s mother, María Mercedes, also recently donated $30,000 to the Senate campaign committee headed by Menendez led who had two staffers working on her family’s problems. The effort involved contacts with the White House, State Department, the consulate, Homeland Security and others. All to get Isaías in the country against the determined opposition of U.S. officials. Menendez even lobbied Mills himself and eventually the Administration caved.
This is of course not the first questionable association for Menendez who remains under investigation by the Justice Department for his advocacy for another out-of-state campaign donor. We previously discussed that relationship with Dr. Salomon E. Melgen, who is notorious for controversial Medicare billings.
Here is the least convincing part of the story. When the New York Times confronted Menendez’s office, his spokeswoman Patricia Enright said, “Our office handled this case no differently than we have thousands of other immigration-related requests over the years.” Really, a year long, international effort for a non-constituent. Perhaps the statement should be ““Our office handled this case no differently than [any other major donor].”
Source: New York Times
Nick and Thomas. Would you prefer the multi-party system that Italy uses? Or Iraq? Or Germany?
If you are running for office, and someone donates a large sum of money to your campaign, they obviously want something in return.
Darren,
Excellent post! There’s a very good chance that Dish Network customers won’t ever hear about this latest story of corruption.
Our country has regrettably become a corruptocracy. Run by crooks who when they aren’t funneling taxpayer money through their buddies to themselves are selling influence like street corner whores. Don’t forget that Lady Hillary was fired by her democrat boss from the Watergate investigation staff for being a dishonest lawyer. The question is: how do we stop it?
Harrison A Williams, another pompous, Dem US Senator from NJ, was convicted of bribery in the ABSCAM case. He accepted bribes to allow an alleged Arab sheik to obtain citizenship. Jersey is almost as corrupt as Illinois.
Thomas Estopare is looking like a great rookie. Thomas, you have a soul mate regarding the systemic evils of the duopoly. JT as well. Most here are lemmings, following their chosen party, no matter what.
If it’s a Hillary and Jeb race, I’ll vote the Green Party, whoever will be it’s candidate. Phyllis Schlafly is a disgrace to her own sex.
Birds of a feather flock together idiom quotes:
Prov. Similar people tend to associate with each other. I always thought Amy was pretentious, and now she’s going out with that snobbish boy, Louis.
Birds of a feather flock together. George: Why do you think Donald is dishonest? Ned: All his friends are dishonest. Birds of a feather flock together.
Something that you say which means people who have similar characters or similar interests will often choose to spend time together.
I saw the boy who stole my bag with that gang of trouble makers last night – well, birds of a feather flock together, they say.
Habla soborno?
Right on, Scott.
A potential problem for Hillary? Seriously? I think it is safe to say that the probability that we see any “news” about this, any media interest whatsoever, is ZERO!!! Had it been done by the members of the “other” party it would be 100%. Mr. Turley, thank you for pointing this out. Other than one hated cable channel this will likely be the last of the reporting on another “phony scandal.”
I didn’t realize Phyllis Schafly crawled back from under her rock. I wouldn’t waste my time wondering what she would say because she is a paradox. In the 1970’s she championed traditional gender roles for women to fight passage of the Equal Rights Amendment – “Mom and apple pie”, yet she was a lawyer and political activist.
I was an ardent supporter of Hillary Clinton in 2008. Now I do have concerns about Benghazzi. However if it is to be a match between Hillary and Jeb, I’ll go back to being a Clintonista. Two Bush presidencies, two Iraq wars – too many.
Darren – thru history there have been good dynasties and bad dynasties, depending on your perception. My problems with Hillary goes back to her being head of the “Bimbo squad.” I do not know enough about Jeb Bush to make a decision.
Paul C. Schulte. – whether or not there have been “good dynasties” is really not known since all we have is history to study 🙂
This was almost difficult to read without having a small amount of revulsion pit in my stomach.
This is the kind of sleaze I would have expected from a Tammany Hall politician yet this blight of the past resurrected itself and apparently manifested in Secretary Clinton’s embrace of questionable ethics or more accurately corrupt influence.
It is my observation that Hillary Clinton’s primary goals in her political aspirations are power and money in a concerning symbiosis. She plays into crafting almost a cult of personality that certainly blinds some of her supporters into a faithful devotion that oddly creates an environment where she embraces the same attributes her fans attack others for; namely her immense wealth acquired through the utilization of her celebrity and positions, and her behavior in matters such as this.
Those who so steadfastly denounce persons within the “1%” as having great wealth and using their influence to craft a political environment favorable to their own self interest deliberately ignore the reality that if ever there was a kindred spirit to the 1%, Hillary Clinton would be their guardian angel.
The question truly remains what would occur if Hillary Clinton achieved the presidency. I certainly do not believe a person having this degree of ambition would content themselves with the traditional role of a president. The least of these concerns would be returning a Jacksonian spoils system which this case certainly mirrors. But, it is the unknown that generates the most concern. I certainly do not doubt she will partake in every indulgence and offer a part of this for a price. As to her stewardship, history often shows the overly-ambitious and vainglorious are condemned to downfalls inclusive of much more than just themselves. I don’t believe our executive branch should be entrusted to her because the risks are too great and certainly another person could assume office on merit and statesmanship.
Moreover, as I commented occasionally, ending political dynasties needs to be a paramount goal of the voters. Unfortunately I see the same star struck glimmer in the eyes and hearts of too many Americans who have a sort of longing for the Camelot of the British Royal Family and perhaps this is transferred over subconsciously to political families here. We were quite wise to reject the notion of a monarchy through the Framers. We do not need a de facto aristocracy today.
This was almost difficult to read without having a small amount of revulsion pit in my stomach.
This is the kind of sleaze I would have expected from a Tammany Hall politician yet this blight of the past resurrected itself and apparently manifested in Secretary Clinton’s embrace of questionable ethics or more accurately corrupt influence.
lol
Merry Christmas Darren Smith 🙂
Darren – I was trying to say earlier to Paul C. Schulte that according to history there have been good dynasties and bad dynasties so how do we know if any of this is subjective reporting on the part of a historian with no Political agenda or what — the comment is lost somewhere. eaten up I guess oh well 🙂
Tyger and Barkin I have teeth and I am ready to go after them. Lets go. I am sick of it. Let me know when you are ready and I will gather up and keep you all company 🙂
If it comes down to Hillary v. Jeb in 2016, the American sheeple should revolt and overthrow their government so they can start over again. That will never happen, of course, because they don’t have the claws or teeth to get rid of the wealthy ruling class that controls everything. Your political system has been so corrupted by this class that most citizens are just free slaves now. And your elections don’t change a thing. It’s all just an illusion to keep the puppets of the banksters in power, but few will acknowledge the reality of the situation.
Seriously. It is time for a Dog Party. We usually start at about two p.m. on Xmas Day. Dogs rather than Hillarys or Jebs. That Hillary v. Jeb thing is like two choices and two echos. What would Phyllis Schlafly say? Y’all recall who she is? She is still around and bright as a tack. Sharp as a tack. I wish she would go on the attack. No more Hillarys and no more Jebs. Something new.
The duopoly of power held by Democrats and Republicans and campaign finance laws have created the backdrop for equal opportunity corruption sought by either party. When it comes to policy concerns, there is usually not much of a choice when participating in our democracy. The difference is really only in label of party, public relations and brand creation. This is the apparent merit-based choice that we can choose from.
Estefanía Isaías. A wealthy, well-connected Ecuadorean television executive,, she was barred from coming to the United States after being caught fraudulently obtaining visas for her maids. However, the New York Times reports that the Clinton State Department intervened to get her into the country “so that Ms. Isaías could work for an Obama fund-raiser with close ties to the administration.”
Yes – I am going to forward this to a friend of mine who is a Democrat who swears that Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Nancy Pelosi walk on water and I will see if she sees anything wrong with this. Yes indeed. She will probably start screaming about the Koch Brothers…… 🙂
Regardless of the political party this must stop and someone needs to make a serious effort to prosecute. The problem is that too many politicians live in glass houses.