Rostenkowski Leases Proper, Dealer Asserts

A House committee counsel and an auto dealer Monday joined Rep. Dan Rostenkowski to deny reports that the powerful Illinois Democrat improperly leased office vehicles.

Chicago newspapers this weekend reported that Rostenkowski, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, leased three vehicles that became his personal property, an apparent violation of regulations governing the way members of Congress may spend expense allowances.

“We do not let that happen,” said Heidi Pender, special counsel to the chairman of the House Administration Committee, which oversees all leases and must approve payments before they are made.

In addition to their pay, members of Congress receive allowances for staff, office expenses, travel and rental of offices in their districts, subject to House regulations. Some of that money may be used for the leasing of vehicles.

In a telephone interview, Pender said the committee approves payments for vehicle leases only after receiving a contract that meets its regulations.

The House permits vehicle leases to run no more than two years and bars any wording requiring a dealer to sell a vehicle to the House member at the end of the lease.

Sunday’s reports in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times were the first hint there might be problems in the way Rostenkowski leased his vehicles.

Rostenkowski’s vehicles were leased by Wil-Shore Motor Sales Inc., of Wilmette, Ill., and company president Donald Roberts told Reuters in a telephone interview that Rostenkowski obtained a 1991 Ford Taurus station wagon.

The House made monthly payments for the car and the Taurus was returned to the dealer in December at the end of the lease. “It is on the lot now,” Roberts said.