Recently, ProPublica's Marcus Stern and Sebastian Jones turned their investigative eyes on the influence of money in politics. The reporters looked into how members of Congress used luxury skyboxes at Bruce Springsteen concerts to raise money for their campaigns. While legal, the practice mixes politicians, donors, lobbyists and trade associations in privileged locales at concerts by The Boss, who is known for his classic songs about the working man.
Stern and Jones talk about how congressional representatives lease the skyboxes at low rates and then offer the seats in exchange for high-dollar contributions -- including donations from the groups they leased the skyboxes from in the first place. They also discuss the ethical issues and potential conflicts of interest involved, whether the practice influences members' votes, how they pulled the story together, and what Bruce thinks about it all.
Stories discussed in and related to this podcast:
Lobbyists and Lawmakers Bond During Springsteen Concerts
Congressional Fundraising Stays Out of the Limelight at Super Bowl
