Watchdog.org Releases District by (Phantom) District Stimulus Guide

(Franklin Center) – Watchdog.org has prepared the nation’s first state-by-state investigation into the phantom districts that have received more than $6.4 billion in stimulus funds.

Jim Scarantino of New Mexico Watchdog first alerted the nation of the troubling findings on Recovery.org. His investigation into stimulus payments courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 found that millions of dollars were poured into congressional districts that did not exist to “create or save” jobs that were created out of thin air.

Similar reports began pouring out of every state. Watchdog.org reporter Bill McMorris has gathered all the information discovered by journalists across the nation and conducted his own investigation into the information found on Recovery.org. His research will take the reader through phantom districts in all 50 states, four territories and Washington D.C.

Findings of Interest:

• A non-existent district in Tennessee received nearly $41 million in stimulus funds and used that money to produce 0 jobs. District 00 received all but $13 million that was sent to the seven phantom districts in the state, but produced fewer jobs than the non-existent 11th district, which created or saved 3 jobs using $39,000.

• More than $2 million was given to the 99th District of North Dakota, a state which has only one congressional district. In order to qualify for 99 districts, North Dakota would have to have a population of about 60 million people, almost 24 million more people than California.

“Your Guide to the Stimulus, District by (Phantom) District” provides a state by state overview of federal stimulus funds sent to phantom congressional districts and the number of jobs “created or saved” as a result of the spending. This latest story, found on Watchdog.org, provides links to articles and state analysis reported by a network of watchdog journalists.

UPDATE: NN&V reader John Hobbs writes: “According to recovery.gov Nevada is recieving recovery tax payer funded dollars to 7 of Nevada’s Congressional Districts. Yes Seven! The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 22nd, 25th, and 32nd Districts.”

Problem is, Nevada only has three districts: First, second and third. Yet as Mr. Hobbs points out, our “phantom” 32nd District received $6,324,235 with 12 jobs created and our 22nd District received $754,400 with 9 jobs created.

“Wow I hope Harry Reid and ACORN do not try to boost up voter registration in those districts!” Mr. Hobbs writes. “The real question though, is that while they are fake districts it is real money. So where did the money go?”