Issa’s earmarks questioned
Rep. Darrell Issa gained federal funding for a road-improvement project in his home district, then bought an office building on the street scheduled to be widened.
The Vista Republican, who chairs the House committee in charge of government oversight, purchased the Vista Medical Plaza office complex on West Vista Way in October 2008.
In the three years before he made that investment, his office requested a total of $17 million for widening and other improvements along the same street. Ultimately, $815,000 was approved.
Aides to Issa said the planned improvements had nothing to do with his decision to purchase the 10,000-square-foot office park.
The funding through earmarks was first reported Wednesday by the website Think Progress, which suggested that Issa “appears to be helping himself.”
Issa spokesman Frederick Hill called that report “part of a left-wing attack machine” determined to tarnish Republican Party leaders.