ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST SENATOR KENNEDY'S CIRCUIT COURT RIGGING FILED

The American Conservative Union (ACU) has called for the filing of a formal ethics complaint against Sen. Ted Kennedy and his staff. ACU also called for an investigation into the apparent collusion between Kennedy's staff and a party to the University of Michigan affirmative action lawsuit in an effort to rig the court decision.

"Leaked memos between Sen. Kennedy's staff and Elaine Jones, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), appear to have revealed a conspiracy to rig the outcome of the Michigan case in the 6th Circuit Court," said Richard Lessner, executive director of the American Conservative Union.

"This is a very serious matter. It's not like getting a friendly judge to fix a parking ticket. This goes to the integrity and impartiality of the federal courts," Lessner said. "The American Conservative Union fully supports the ethics grievance that was filed yesterday with the Virginia state bar association against Ms. Jones."

The leaked Kennedy memos revealed an effort by the NAACP to delay confirmation of a Bush nominee to the 6th Circuit Court until after a decision had been rendered in the University of Michigan case, thereby ensuring an outcome favorable to the liberal organization. This, in fact, appears to be what transpired.

"The numerous irregularities surrounding the Michigan case deserve to be fully investigated," Lessner said. "It appears there was a premeditated effort to rig the decision and ensure a certain outcome. In view of these irregularities, the U.S. Supreme Court should set aside its decision upholding the 6th Circuit's ruling pending the outcome of a thorough investigation.

"The Senate Ethics Committee also should immediately open an investigation into the actions of Sen. Kennedy and his staff. Any effort to influence the outcome of a court decision through political manipulation is extremely serious. The integrity of our justice system is at stake," concluded Lessner.