Earmarks by 33 Lawmakers, Including Miller, Scrutinized in New Report

The Washington Post unveiled a report Monday that lists Congressman Gary Miller, R-Diamond Bar, as one of 33 lawmakers who has directed more than $300 million in federal earmarks and other spending provisions to public projects within a mile or two of the lawmakers’ own property.  

The project tied to Miller that the Post reported on had previously been investigated by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

Miller currently represents the 42nd District, and will run in the 31st Congressional District this year, hoping to take the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands. Lewis also .

“Although Congress has imposed numerous conflict-of-interest rules on federal agencies and private businesses, the rules it has set for itself are far more permissive,” the Post report said. “Lawmakers are required to certify that they do not have a financial stake in the actions they take. In the cases the Post examined, not one lawmaker mentioned that he or she owned property that was near the earmarked project or had a relative who was employed by the company or institution that received the earmark. The reason: Nothing in congressional rules requires them to do so, and the rules do not address proximity.”

The Post reports that Miller secured $1.28 million in earmarks in 2005 to help repave, re-landscape, and install new drains along Grand Avenue in Diamond Bar. The improvements also upgraded an access road to a residential and retail development that Miller co-owned with a campaign donor. Miller sold the property, where Target is located, several months after securing the earmark. 

Miller’s spokeswoman told the Post that Miller did not use his position to promote or enhance his personal business partnerships.

“Grand Avenue is a critical roadway that runs through both Los Angeles and San Bernardino County, causing it to become an alternate route for commuters trying to avoid the 57/60 and 71 freeways,” Megan McCormack said in a statement. “The City of Diamond Bar had been left with the fiscal burden of rehabilitating the road, which has received more traffic than it was ever intended to endure.”

According to McCormack, the project started half a mile from the entry to Miller’s property.

"Congressman Miller never requested federal funding for improvements to the portion of Grand Avenue that were made in front of the development in question," she said. "These funds were secured through state and local transportation funds, as well as from developer fees imposed by the City. The funding the Congressman secured on behalf of the City was used for phases II and III of the project, which extended along Grand Avenue from 1100 feet east of Golden Springs Drive to the easterly city and county limit over half a mile away from the development. It should also be noted that the Congressman’s interest in the development ended prior to the commencement of Phase II, and later Phase III, of the rehabilitation project."

To read the entire investigation, click here.