News Aikman, Buck, McCarver travel on tax payer dime

chief52 · 01-13-2009, 06:18 PM

Isn't this special. Some government lawyer has been arranging for armed U.S. Marshals to escort Aikman, Buck and McCarver to big games. Our tax dollars at work!

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...buck_and_.html

A trio of star sportscasters have been riding to big games like heads of state thanks to a government lawyer who arranged escorts by armed U.S. marshals.

A federal probe found that Fox announcers Troy Aikman, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver have been getting chauffeured to extravaganzas like last year's Super Bowl and the 2007 World Series on the public's dime.

The blistering report released Monday by the Justice Department's inspector general zeroed in on lawyer Joseph Band, who worked in the U.S. marshals' Washington office and moonlighted as a Fox Sports statistician.

The report charged that Band pulled strings to get himself and the broadcasters to and from the play-by-play booth in a style reserved for federal judges and protected witnesses.

Band "regularly and inappropriately solicited and received assistance of [Marshal Service] resources for his personal activities, in violation of government ethical rules," the report concluded.

While the feds do not plan to prosecute Band, the report has prompted the U.S. marshals to beef up oversight of its services.

The inspector general was tipped off by a U.S. marshal who told investigators he thought giving rides to sportscasters was "silly" and "an inappropriate use of his time."

The report, obtained by thesmokinggun.com, contends Band, 68, had been reprimanded at least six times for conducting football business while on government duty.

Band, who has since retired from the agency, denied any wrongdoing and told investigators that his side job with Fox Sports was just "a hobby" he did on his private time.

Fox Sports spokesman Lou D'Ermilio said the network was "unaware" that the transportation Band arranged for its sportscasters was "in any way inappropriate."

[email protected]

**Rain Man** · 01-13-2009, 06:20 PM

I read that the Titans' team doctor was getting a police escort so he could go to the game and then get to his daughter's wedding afterwards. I wondered if that was really why we pay our taxes.

Coach · 01-13-2009, 06:25 PM

This does not suprise me.

Dayze · 01-13-2009, 06:41 PM

nothing the government does surprises me. Nothing.

and I believe absolutely NOTHING the government tells me/publishes etc.

They're a joke; all of them. A large dog and pony show. Carl should run for MO Senate.

StcChief · 01-13-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayzeofthenew

nothing the government does surprises me. Nothing.

and I believe absolutely NOTHING the government tells me/publishes etc.

They're a joke; all of them. A large dog and pony show. Carl should run for MO Senate.

the dumb a$$ in MO elected dead guy. why not Carl.

Valiant · 01-13-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StcChief

the dumb a$$ in MO elected dead guy. why not Carl.

Carnahan?? That shit still pisses me off..

01-13-2009, 06:18 PM
chief52 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: NoCal Casino cash: $9805260	Aikman, Buck, McCarver travel on tax payer dime Isn't this special. Some government lawyer has been arranging for armed U.S. Marshals to escort Aikman, Buck and McCarver to big games. Our tax dollars at work! http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...buck_and_.html A trio of star sportscasters have been riding to big games like heads of state thanks to a government lawyer who arranged escorts by armed U.S. marshals. A federal probe found that Fox announcers Troy Aikman, Joe Buck and Tim McCarver have been getting chauffeured to extravaganzas like last year's Super Bowl and the 2007 World Series on the public's dime. The blistering report released Monday by the Justice Department's inspector general zeroed in on lawyer Joseph Band, who worked in the U.S. marshals' Washington office and moonlighted as a Fox Sports statistician. The report charged that Band pulled strings to get himself and the broadcasters to and from the play-by-play booth in a style reserved for federal judges and protected witnesses. Band "regularly and inappropriately solicited and received assistance of [Marshal Service] resources for his personal activities, in violation of government ethical rules," the report concluded. While the feds do not plan to prosecute Band, the report has prompted the U.S. marshals to beef up oversight of its services. The inspector general was tipped off by a U.S. marshal who told investigators he thought giving rides to sportscasters was "silly" and "an inappropriate use of his time." The report, obtained by thesmokinggun.com, contends Band, 68, had been reprimanded at least six times for conducting football business while on government duty. Band, who has since retired from the agency, denied any wrongdoing and told investigators that his side job with Fox Sports was just "a hobby" he did on his private time. Fox Sports spokesman Lou D'Ermilio said the network was "unaware" that the transportation Band arranged for its sportscasters was "in any way inappropriate." [email protected]
Posts: 3,124

01-13-2009, 06:20 PM	#2
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-632449 VARSITY	I read that the Titans' team doctor was getting a police escort so he could go to the game and then get to his daughter's wedding afterwards. I wondered if that was really why we pay our taxes. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,435

01-13-2009, 06:25 PM	#3
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $3738476	This does not suprise me. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, & 2025 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
Posts: 54,703

01-13-2009, 06:41 PM	#4
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $1789358	nothing the government does surprises me. Nothing. and I believe absolutely NOTHING the government tells me/publishes etc. They're a joke; all of them. A large dog and pony show. Carl should run for MO Senate. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,460