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Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) Named One of the Most Corrupt Members of Congress

Washington, D.C. – Politics is a family affair for Rep. Charles “Charlie” Bass (R-NH), who abused his office to seek preferential treatment for his nephew’s business New England Wood Pellet (NEWP), a New Hampshire-based company that produces wood pellet fuel for use in heating systems.  Rep. Bass also appears to have lied on his personal financial disclosure forms about his interest in the company.  All of this has landed him a spot in Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington’s (CREW) annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress Report.  Click here to read the full report on Rep. Bass. 

“Rep. Bass has abused his position to financially benefit his family and perhaps himself in clear violation of House rules,” said CREW Executive Director Melanie Sloan. 

In February 2006, then-Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman visited New Hampshire and had a one-on-one meeting, arranged by Rep. Bass, with Mr. Walker to discuss a rebate program important to NEWP.  The secretary also discussed the program with Rep. Bass during the visit. The following month, at a congressional hearing, Rep. Bass brought up the rebate program with Sec. Bodman again.  

In March 2007, after leaving Congress, Rep. Bass filed his 2006 personal financial disclosure forms, which showed he had acquired a share in NEWP worth at least $500,000.  In addition, Rep. Bass joined NEWP’s board two weeks after leaving Congress and remained a member until after the 2010 election.

During the 2010 election, Rep. Bass denied setting up the meeting with Sec. Bodman or discussing the rebate program with him, but was contradicted by his own email as well as Sec. Bodman’s congressional testimony.   He also said his 2006 financial disclosure forms were incorrect; he had not purchased the NEWP stock until January 2007 and amended his earlier financial disclosure forms to remove any reference to NEWP.

“Members of Congress should be working on behalf of their constituents not themselves or their family members.  It seems some members really are just out for themselves,” said Ms. Sloan.  “This is exactly the kind of thing that makes Americans believe members of Congress are just out for themselves.”

This is the 7^th edition of the CREW’S Most Corrupt Report, an annual look at a bipartisan collection of Washington’s worst.  This year’s list includes seven Democrats, and 12 Republicans.  Five are repeat offenders.  Since 2005, CREW has named 70 members of Congress to the list, 32 of whom are no longer in office.