Greenberg blasts Bean over campaign cash

Suburban U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean's Republican challenger is blasting her for taking donations from a political group representing beleaguered mortgage giant Countrywide Financial Corp.

Calling the group a "corrupt, special-interest political action committee," 8th District hopeful Steve Greenberg criticized Countrywide for its subprime loan practices, actions that led Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to sue the firm in civil court.

He insists Bean should refund the donations she's received from the group, which have totaled $5,500 this election season, Federal Election Commission reports show.

"Where does she draw the line?" said Greenberg, of Long Grove. "She's bought and paid for by (political action committees)."

Bean isn't alone in receiving campaign cash from Countrywide, however. It's given more than 100 donations totaling $279,000 to political candidates and groups this election season, FEC records show, including many prominent GOP groups and candidates.

They include: U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a Republican from Wheaton; U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, a Republican from Hinsdale; House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio; and the National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOP's primary congressional campaign organization.

The group has contributed to Democrats, too.

Although critical of Bean, Greenberg didn't demand the other recipients return Countryside's cash.

"I'm running against Melissa Bean. I'm not runnings against Judy Biggert or Peter Roskam," he said.

Bean declined to comment. A Countrywide spokesman did not respond to an interview request.

Countrywide, which recently was purchased by Bank of America, has been at the heart of the nation's mortgage crisis. Upon suing Countrywide in late June, Madigan accused the firm of promoting high-risk loans that contributed to the high number of foreclosures in Illinois.

California's attorney general filed a similar lawsuit.

Federal campaign disclosure reports show Bean has taken two donations totaling $5,500 from Countrywide's political committee during the current campaign season. The first, for $2,500, was received in September 2007; the second, for $3,000, was received in May.

The organization has been generous to other candidates and groups, records show. Its donations include:

•$12,500 to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

•$5,000 to Biggert's campaign.

•$1,000 to Roskam.

•$2,500 to Boehner's campaign.

•$7,000 to Republican U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, wife of former presidential candidate Bob Dole.

•$7,000 to the 21st Century PAC, a group that financially supports GOP congressional candidates.

•$15,000 to former presidential candidate and Democratic U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut.

•$2,000 to Democratic U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts.

Greenberg refused to specifically slam any of the candidates who've received money from Countryside Financial other than Bean.

Instead, he generally criticized the state of politics in Washington, calling the influence of special interests a bipartisan problem.

Greenberg also acknowledged he's received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from political action committees but said he's received fewer such donations than Bean.

Ryan Rudominer, the Midwest spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, was critical of Greenberg's stance, saying his "hypocrisy knows no bounds."

A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee could not be reached for comment.

The 8th District includes parts of Lake, Cook and McHenry counties.