Citizen Journalist Digs Deeper

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The prolific Mrs. Panstreppon, who last week drew attention to three earmarks for a foundation run by a lobbyist and employing a Charlie Rangel legislative consultant, is at it again, once again pointing to a trio of earmarks going to a politically connected nonprofit:

Meet Robin D. Hubbard, president and founder of the Readnet Foundation. Ms. Hubbard is also the founder and a trustee of the failed Readnet Bronx Charter School at the Metropolitan College of New York and president of Smart Learning Systems, LLC (formerly Readnet Systems, LLC)….

Robin Hubbard and her husband, William N. Hubbard, of 116 E. 63rd St., New York City, contributed $1,000 in 2003, $1,000 in 2004 and $2,200 in 2006 to the campaign of Rep. John E. Sweeney.

Otherwise, the Hubbards’ Democratic credentials are impeccable. For example, they were co-chairmen of Sen. John Kerry’s presidential campaign because they bundled more than $50,000 in contributions.

Over the years, the Hubbards have contributed more than $3,300 to Rep. Jerry Nadler’s campaign and more than $5,000 to Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s campaign. They have contributed to the campaigns of Senator Chuck Schumer, Rep. Anthony Weiner and Rep. Charles Rangel, among others.

According to Open Secrets, the Readnet Foundation spent $150,000 on DC lobbyists between 2003 and 2005 of which $50,000 went to Mcallister and Quinn.

A photo of Robin Hubbard with Rep. Sweeney and Under Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok accompanied a press release about National Charter School Week issued by the Center for Educaton Reform in May 2003.

In November 2004, Rep. Sweeney issued a press release announcing a $275,000 federal grant for the Readnet Foundation to expand a web-based educational program in Hudson New York.

Read the whole thing for more information, lots of links, and some questions for Rep. Sweeney. I should add that I’m not the only one who’s noticed Mrs. Panstreppon’s outstanding efforts: Jay Rosen includes her in his latest on networked journalism.