repubgazette7-12-07ungerfailedtoreportirelandclassact

The Democrat who wants to be the next Member of Congress from the 2nd District failed to properly report his income to the state ethics commission and says he doesn't pay much attention to how much money he makes.

After weeks of avoiding and stonewalling the question, state Sen. John Unger admitted to the Charleston Daily Mail that he makes more than $88,000 a year for dealing with one client in his job with a company largely dependent on federal earmarks directed by Congressman Alan Mollohan.

All state lawmakers must fill out an annual financial disclosure form with the state ethics commission. As reported earlier by the Charleston Gazette's Phil Kabler, Unger noted on the form that only his media work -- he was formerly employed part-time with WEPM in Martinsburg -- constituted more than 20 percent of his income.

But in a story that appeared Wednesday, Unger admitted to Jake Stump of the Daily Mail that he failed to disclose the level of income he made from a company called EGG, saying "none of the categories listed on the form accurately matched his job description," according to the story.

There are 35 categories listed on the ethics form from which lawmakers can choose, and a 36th category labeled "other" in case none of the categories fit. Unger failed to check the "other" category as well.

He likely faces an ethics complaint over his failure to properly disclose his income.

Amazingly, Unger said he pays little attention to how much money he makes, saying, "Usually, I don't pay much attention on what I'm paid as long as I can pay the bills and get by. It's not a big deal to me." Nothing like writing checks and hoping there's money in the bank.

Unger is so ambivalent about money that he has still failed to turn in his expenses from the 2007 legislative session, which in the past has meant more than $10,000 annually to him.

Unger very likely made relatively little money from WEPM, which makes it even more ludicrous

Having Fun

With Mojo

Blue Book idol

Hey kids! Mojo here! Make sure to check out this year's new Blue Books! Blue Books are published by the state every year and amount to a huge waste of taxpayer dollars! I love them! A lot of legislators mail copies to their voters, er, constituents as a public service! John Unger's good at that! Anyway, every year the Blue Book contains pictures of all the statewide office holders! Guess what? Not this year! In fact, only one of them made it in! Guess who? Right! If you'd like to have a Blue Book, let me know! I'll tell John!

Final days to make reservations for July 14 event in Huntington

When: Saturday, July 14, 2007

Where: Pullman Plaza Hotel, Huntington

Schedule: 9 a.m. GOP women's meeting, treasurer training. 10:30 a.m., Chairman Doug McKinney's State of the Party address, state executive committee meeting begins. 1 p.m., Business and Economic Forum moderated by Mike Stuart, featuring Secretary of State Betty Ireland, John Raese, "Unleashing Capitalism" co-editor Matt Ryan. 5 p.m. Private reception for RNC Chairman Mike Duncan. 6 p.m. WVGOP fundraising dinner. 7:45 p.m., music and dancing with the Jailhouse Rockers.

Reservations: Email Allison Plants, Marti Riggall or Mike Ankrom or call 304-768-0495.

that "media" was the only category he claimed constituted 20 percent of his income. Unger lost his radio job when he became a candidate for Congress. Unger insists the split was amicable, but other sources have reported otherwise.

It was interesting that Unger chose to spill the beans to the Daily Mail after Kabler, of the Gazette, had raised the question of Unger's employment and income in his column this past Monday.

The Daily Mail reported that Unger owns apartments in Martinsburg and Charleston, but Eastern Panhandle sources say Unger pays no property taxes in Berkeley County, other than on his vehicle.

As previously reported here, the company for which Unger works is part of a web of interelated corporations benefitting from millions of dollars in federal earmarks from Mollohan.

Unger told the Daily Mail that in regard to his work with EGG, he has exactly one client -- the National Energy Technology Laboratory, which is located in a Morgantown industrial park right next door to EGG.

Unger said that although he did not get the job until 2004, he doesn't believe he was employed because he is a state senator, but rather because of his experience all over the world, including -- can we all say this together -- his work with Mother Teresa.

Unger said "one of his roles is figuring out alternative ways to deliver electricity and protect power sources from terrorists," which should make us all sleep better at night knowing a guy who doesn't even pay attention to his own bank account is protecting us from terrorists.

Editorial comment: Let's be honest. John Unger has been handed a cushy, high-paying "job" demanding little or no time or effort, and avoids discussing it indepth by claiming it deals with "sensitive materials and homeland security," as he told the Daily Mail. Then, he did not report on state ethics forms the fact that the EGG "job" constitutes his largest source of income, which might lead even the least suspicious among us to conclude that Congress does not need another such character.

Even two Democrats who want Ireland's job -- Delegate Joe DeLong and Natalie Tennant -- have praised Ireland's accomplishments in the office. A third, Sen. Billy Wayne Bailey, was likely too busy moving furniture into his post office box in Wyoming County.

While Betty is putting her career on hold to care for her parents, the betting here is we have not seen the last of her in public office -- and that's a good thing for West Virginia.