Differentiating one pig in the pen from another is no easy task, yet in a newly-issued report on Congressional ethics violations, the D.C.-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) have managed to find 13 and named them, along with the filth they’ve rolled in.

Entitled “Beyond DeLay: The 13 Most Corrupt Members of Congress,” the report was CREW’s response to what they feel is an ongoing lack of action by ethics committees in both the House and Senate. CREW is calling for an investigation of the 13 on assorted accusations of profiteering, nepotism, misuse of funds, accepting kickbacks, campaign irregularities and using tax-payer’s money for personal gain. Among the 11 Republican and two Democrats named are Senators Bill Frist (R–TN) and Rick Santorum (R–PA), as well as Reps. Bob Ney (R–OH) and Richard W. Pombo (R–CA). Four of the public servants are tied to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who himself has been indicted on fraud and conspiracy charges. The 13 have either declined comment or dismissed the report.

Though neither the House nor the Senate’s ethics committees accept outsider complaints, CREW hopes the report will prompt at least some sort of investigation.

» Scott Saxon