Washington Post investigates earmarked projects near lawmakers' property: Sen. Richard Shelby is a focus

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Post this morning took a close look at earmarks secured by Sen. Richard Shelby to revitalize downtown Tuscaloosa where he owns a commercial building.

Sen. Richard Shelby

In a series called "Capitol Assets" the Post reviewed records for all 535 members of Congress and found dozens of lawmakers who supported earmarks for work done near their personal real estate holdings.

In a sidebar about Shelby, R-Ala., the Post noted that the block where Shelby's building sits was among the most blighted in the area, but it was not on the city's list of blocks to be bought out or condemned or razed as part of an urban renewal plan.

Here is the link.

UPDATE: Here is the full statement from Shelby's spokesman Jonathan Graffeo about the Post's findings:

"Senator Shelby clearly meets not just the letter but also the spirit of
the ethics rules. For example, he is not the sole or principal pecuniary
beneficiary of the projects because he receives no financial benefit
whatsoever. Moreover, he spent his own money to replace the sidewalk and
landscape the grounds in front of his business, and to install a parking
lot for his employees and customers so that they would not use the parking
garage for which he secured public funding. Senator Shelby neither
requested nor wants his property included in the city's plans."